On the eve of the New Year, against the background of widespread talk of readiness for peace negotiations (a sophisticated IPSO launched through the Western media and its influence agency), Russia carried out an unprecedented attack on civilian and infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
In 2023, Russia launched 1,225 cruise missiles, 555 ballistic and aeroballistic missiles, and 3,201 Shaheds (in total, more than 7,500 missiles of various types since the beginning of the large-scale invasion) over Ukraine.
About 11 billion dollars or almost one trillion rubles were burned this year only for the missile war. These are approximately 1,500 unbuilt new schools or about a hundred modern medical facilities that will never appear in the under-empire. With these funds, for example, it would be possible to increase the budget of Dagestan or Yakutia by more than 5 times. These are 476,190 pence of the average Russian thrown into the fire of war.
The intensity of shelling increased significantly on the cusp of 2023 and 2024 when Russia did not spare expensive weapons even at symbolic places of historical memory, the museums of the national liberation struggle leaders – Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych in the Lviv region.
During the night of December 30, when civilians were in their homes and practically had no chance to reach shelters, the enemy launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Critical infrastructure facilities and industrial and military facilities were attacked. Unfortunately, there are dead and injured.
At first, the occupiers traditionally attacked with “shahids” from the north and south-east direction, with further movement in the west direction. A total of 36 “Shahed-136/131” attack UAVs were registered.
Around 3:00 a.m., the enemy launched strategic aircraft into the air – Tu-95MS bombers. 18 planes entered the launch line around 6:00 a.m. and launched at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 air-based cruise missiles.
From the Kursk region around 05:00, the enemy used Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, which fired 8 Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles in the direction of the northern and central regions.
At the same time, the invaders hit Kharkiv with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. In total, the enemy launched at least 14 ballistic missiles – S-300/S-400/Iskander-M from the occupied Crimea, Kursk and Belgorod regions of the Russian Federation.
At 6:30 a.m., the takeoff of five MiG-31K fighters was recorded, which launched 5 Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missiles from the Astrakhan region.
Also, 4 Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59 were used from Su-35 tactical aircraft.
That night, the enemy used 158 means of air attack against Ukraine: missiles of various types and air defense systems.
During the night of December 31 to January 1, 2024, the enemy carried out the longest and most massive attack by Iranian kamikaze drones. 90 Shached-131/136 kamikaze drones were used. It was on this night that the enemy attacked the museums of Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich in the Lviv Region.
During the night of January 2, 2024, the enemy repeated a mass attack with various types of air attacks, as it happened a few days ago – on December 29, 2023.
Civilian and critical infrastructure and industrial and military facilities were attacked. The main direction of the attack is the capital of Ukraine.
In the first wave, they traditionally attacked with “shahids” from the south-eastern direction, with further movement in different regions of Ukraine.
All 35 attack UAVs “Shahed-136/131” were destroyed by air defence.
In the morning, the enemy used strategic aviation – Tu-95MS bombers. 16 planes entered the launch line around 6:00 a.m. and launched at least 70 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 air-based cruise missiles.
Starting at 07:30, the launch of ten Kh-47M2 “Kinjal” aeroballistic missiles from MiG-31K fighters was recorded.
The enemy also attacked from the sea with three Kalibr cruise missiles, and from the north with 12 ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M/S-300/S-400 type.
Four Kh-31P anti-radar missiles were used from Su-35 tactical aircraft.
According to preliminary results, the enemy used 99 means of air attack – missiles of various types.
The forces and means of the Air Force, in cooperation with units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, destroyed 72 air targets.
The intensity, diversity of the use of means of destruction, the depth of penetration into the territory of Ukraine, and the brazen violation of the airspace of NATO member states indicate the enemy’s intention to intimidate Ukraine and its civilian population. To sow thoughts about the futility of opposition both among Ukrainians and in the public opinion of Western partners and to incline them to shameful concessions.
The enemy is trying to use the pause with the delay of Western aid, the supply of weapons and ammunition, and the lack of air defense equipment and ammunition for them, to critically strain and exhaust Ukrainian air defense. At the same time, for propaganda purposes, Russia is trying to hunt down at least one of the Patriot complexes to create an opinion in the West about the futility of military aid.
The immediate ultimate goal of the attacks is to “destroy the capital” – to make a catastrophic impression on critical infrastructure facilities in Kyiv, deliberately targeting private residences and apartment buildings, and using traditional state terror tactics for the criminal empire.
Russia also demonstrates an allegedly unlimited missile resource. In fact, Putin appears to be going all-in, ruthlessly squandering frontline manpower in meat-and-ground assaults and a scarce missile stockpile that is increasingly difficult to replenish amid increasing Western sanctions and the inability to access critically needed technologies and components. Currently, the situational assistance of North Korean artillery ammunition and Iranian drones allowed Russia to level the situation at the front. However, overcoming the pause in military supply by the Allies and the psychological barrier of providing weapons with a longer range will allow to break this temporary advantage of the enemy.
Putin’s bluff can be broken not by long discussions in Congress or debates in the UN Security Council, but by quick and effective military aid.
After all, Putin is clearly signalling that he will not stop at Ukraine. And it is unlikely that there is a country or an army in the West that is ready to oppose Russia in the tactics imposed by it.
On the contrary, only Russia’s military defeats were the impetus for reforms in this country.
Carpet missile attacks on Ukraine are probably the best signal to everyone that negotiations with Russia are possible only on surrender. The best arguments are the increase in air defense systems, missiles with a minimum medium range and the necessary weapons and ammunition.
Unpunishable shelling of peaceful territories in Ukraine will become impossible only when Muscovites feel for themselves that the stick can be double-edged. When the Yakuts and Dagestanis (as well as other nations conquered by Russia) understand that instead of being manure and a tool in the hands of the empire, it is worth turning their weapons in the direction of the Russian occupier. Because perhaps such an auspicious moment will not be for a very long time.
Yuriy Syrotyuk “Mamai”, junior sergeant of the 5th separate Kyiv assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, director of the non-governmental analytical centre “Ukrainian Strategic Research Studies”
