Kyiv’s forces strike a chemical plant and oil refinery and dispatch over 140 drones targeting locations nearly 700 miles deep into Russia.
Ukraine used six British Storm Shadow missiles and US-made Atacms tactical ballistic missiles in what Kyiv described as its “largest attack” on Russian military facilities.
Kyiv’s forces also launched at least 146 drones into Russia, targeting locations nearly 700 miles deep into the country.
The attacks, which mostly targeted southwestern Russia, were the latest attempt by Kyiv’s forces to hit Russia in its own backyard despite facing increasing battlefield pressures along the Ukrainian front line.
Moscow, confirming the “massive” attack, vowed a response. “The actions of the Kyiv regime, supported by its Western curators, will not go unanswered,” the Russian defence ministry said.
Kyiv’s military struck a chemical plant in Bryansk, south-west Russia, which is known for producing Russian artillery, rocket launch systems, and cruise missiles, according to the Ukrainian ministry of defence.
The Kristall oil plant and a refinery in Saratov were also struck, a spokesman said. “The destruction of Russian military facilities continues. Glory to Ukraine,” they added.
The huge attack forced six Russian cities to restrict their airspace on Tuesday morning, according to the country’s aviation agency. This included the cities of Saratov and Engels, where the oil refineries were struck.
Roman V. Busargin, the governor of the Saratov region, confirmed in a post on Telegram that industrial plants in the two cities had been damaged.
“Today Saratov and Engels were subjected to a massive UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] attack,” he said, adding that “air defences [had] eliminated a large number of targets”.
It was the second time in a week that Ukraine targeted Engels, which is home to an airfield which hosts Russia’s long-range, nuclear bombers.
Meanwhile, authorities in Tula also described Ukraine’s attack as “massive” but said debris from 16 drones which were shot down had only caused damage to cars and buildings. Dmitry V. Milyaev, the regional governor, reported no casualties.
A fire was reported by authorities in the city of Kazan – the capital of the republic of Tatarstan in southwestern Russia – after a liquefied natural gas base was struck in the combined attack. They reported “no significant damage”.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russia in a bid to damage its military capabilities and increase dwindling morale among its troops, according Marina Miron, a military analyst at King’s College London.
But she added that it was likely timed to have maximum impact prior to Mr Trump’s return to the White House, which had been anticipated by Russia.
“The timing is critical…Russian state media said there would be some provocation before Trump returns to the Oval Office,” she said.
“Ukraine is trying to demonstrate its capabilities and improve its position before Trump actually enters the White House because in Ukraine there is a fear their future will be decided without them.”
Ms Miron suggested, however, that such attacks are unlikely to pose a major threat to Russia’s military capabilities.
“Ukraine doesn’t have enough drones to conduct very impactful attacks…the idea is to wear the Russians down and impose more costs on them.”
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian soil in recent weeks as it seeks to put itself in a strong negotiating position ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.
The US president-elect said ending the war was a priority in the first phase of his presidency.
It also comes after Kyiv’s forces launched a counter-attack in Russia’s border region Kursk, which was initially captured by Ukrainian troops in August last year.
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A fire was reported by authorities in Kazan after a liquefied natural gas base was struck in the attack by Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine said it struck a Russian chemical factory that makes rocket fuel and ammunition in the Bryansk border region
Authorities reported a "massive" drone attack in the western region of Tula but claimed minimal damage and no casualties.
The Ukrainian army struck a tanker at a liquefied natural gas base, sparking a large blaze.
Saratov and Engels, located around 7 miles from one another, were both attacked by Ukrainian UAV drones. Ukraine said an oil refinery in Saratov was targeted by drones.
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