Ukraine has launched its largest air attacks on Russia since the start of the war, with the Russian military retaliating by launching more projectiles towards Ukraine. The attacks, which targeted multiple cities and industrial sites, were carried out using US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and British Storm Shadow projectiles.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, most of the projectiles were shot down, but some damage was caused to factories in Saratov and Engels. Schools in the area were forced to switch to remote learning, while several airports were temporarily halted due to air traffic disruptions.
The attacks come as Ukrainian forces have been targeting an oil depot serving an airbase for Russian bomber planes in Bryansk, Tula, and Tatarstan. Ukraine’s military also claimed to have hit a chemical factory that makes rocket fuel and ammunition for Russia’s army.
Russia has warned that the move could significantly increase tensions, with Moscow launching a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, known as Oreshnik, at Ukraine. NATO chief Mark Rutte said earlier this week that Ukraine is not strong enough to “negotiate from a position of strength”, and incoming US president Donald Trump has expressed support for Ukraine in the past.
Trump’s views on Ukraine have shifted since his election campaign, but experts believe he may be more supportive of Ukraine than previously thought. The situation remains tense, with Russia pushing deep into eastern Ukraine while Kyiv persists with its military offensive inside Russian territory.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/14/ukraine-launches-largest-air-attacks-on-russia-since-start-of-war