In . – 12.31.2022 14:16 (act. 12.31.2022 14:16)
Russia launches another massive missile strike against Ukraine before the turn of the year. © AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Russia struck Ukraine again with dozens of cruise missiles and rockets just before the New Year celebrations.
About half a dozen explosions – presumably triggered by air defense – could be heard across Kyiv on Saturday, a German Press Agency reporter from the center of the capital said. Mayor Vitali Klitschko spoke of destruction. Emergency services and medical staff are on the way.
Russia launches a massive missile strike against Ukraine just before the New Year
Russia launched drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on Thursday. On the last day of the year there was again an air alert everywhere. Authorities urged people to seek shelter in bunkers.
Explosions reported in areas of western Ukraine
Explosions were also reported in the western Ukrainian regions of Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr and in the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. According to the deputy head of the presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi was attacked with drones. There were two wounded there. As a precaution, power has been turned off in several areas to reduce damage from power strikes.
Military experts warned of air strikes at New Year’s Eve
British military experts had already warned on Saturday morning of new air strikes against Ukraine’s infrastructure at the turn of the year. According to the London Daily Intelligence Update, the beatings so far have been carried out at intervals of seven to 10 days. “Russia will almost certainly continue this pattern to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses,” the statement said. But there was “a realistic possibility” that Russia would strike again in the coming days “to break the morale of the Ukrainian population during the New Year period”, he said.
Eleven Major Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Power System
Since mid-October, Russia has carried out eleven major attacks, mostly against objects in the Ukrainian power system. Due to the massive destruction of infrastructure, there are power cuts in many places, affecting millions of people. The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of “terrorism” – aiming to plunge the country into darkness and cold. Kyiv accused Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin of wanting to force people to flee to destabilize the situation in the EU through mass immigration.