On Monday, Russia once again began its winter bombing strategy and targeted multiple regions in Ukraine. They utilized their most powerful hypersonic and cruise missiles, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 30 others.
The Defense Ministry of Russia reported that they utilized accurate sea and air-launched long-range missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, to attack targets within the military-industrial complex of Ukraine.
Experts and officials from the West had previously cautioned that Russia was amassing its cruise missiles for the purpose of attacking Ukraine’s defense sector during the upcoming winter, rather than targeting the country’s infrastructure like last winter. However, recent Russian strikes have often resulted in damage to civilian areas.
The Ukrainian air force reported that they successfully brought down all eight Russian drones, however, only 18 out of the 51 Russian cruise missiles were intercepted during the overnight attack.
The Ukrainian air force reported that the missiles were aimed at “essential infrastructure facilities” as well as both civilian and military industrial sites. They also mentioned that not all of the unintercepted missiles successfully hit their intended targets.
According to Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidency, Russian missiles targeted a shopping center and tall buildings in Kryvyi Rih, a city in the south-central region and the birthplace of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kuleba reported that one individual lost their life in the attack.
On January 8, 2024, emergency workers removed the remains of a person killed in a Russian missile attack in the town of Zmiiv in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. The attack destroyed a nearby house.
Officials in the western area of Khmelnytskyi reported that a Russian missile attack resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals.
According to Oleg Synegubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, one individual was fatally injured in the city of Zmiiv.
The most recent assaults occurred while NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was getting ready to convene a gathering of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday to address Russia’s recent use of drones and missiles, which have increased in frequency since the start of the year.
Almost every evening, once more tonight, there is the unavoidable destruction of civilian infrastructure and intentional murder of innocent citizens, as stated by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy, on Monday. This is solely due to Russia’s willingness and capability to carry out such actions, fueled by their possession of numerous long-range missiles.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy stated that he believes Russia can be defeated and emphasized the need for Europe to collaborate with Ukraine in producing weapons and building a strong arsenal to protect itself, as demonstrated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The past two years of this conflict have demonstrated the necessity for Europe to have its own strong weapons to protect freedom. It must have the ability to defend itself and the potential to withstand any global circumstance, according to his statement.
During a Stockholm defense conference, Zelenskyy commented through a video link, while Tobias Billstrom, the Swedish Foreign Minister, reaffirmed their country’s dedication to assisting Kyiv.
During the event on X, formerly known as Twitter, the messaging app, he stated that Sweden’s primary objective in foreign policy for the coming years is to provide military, political, and economic assistance to Ukraine.
On Sunday, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made a surprise visit to Kyiv, making Japan the first country to offer support to the Ukrainian capital in 2024.
Kamikawa, speaking through an interpreter at a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, expressed Japan’s commitment to aiding Ukraine in achieving peace in the region.
During an air alert in Kyiv, Kamikawa was compelled to take shelter in a bomb shelter. She strongly criticized Russia for their use of missiles and drones to attack innocent civilians, especially on New Year’s Day. In response, her country is pledging an extra $37 million to a NATO trust fund in order to aid in the purchase of drone-detection systems.
The information used in this report was obtained from news sources such as The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters.
Source: voanews.com
