Russian bombers simultaneously took off, launching missiles into Ukraine

Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber carrying long-range cruise missiles (Photo: Aviation week).

The Ukrainian Air Force announced that on the night of January 12 and early morning of January 13, airstrike warnings were issued in a series of areas across the country as Russia conducted a large-scale missile airstrike.

Ukraine claims Russia deployed 40 missiles and drones to attack targets.

Specifically, Ukraine said Russia launched 7 S-300/S-400 guided air defense missiles, 3 Shahed-136/131 attack drones, 6 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles launched from 6 MiG-31K fighters, 12 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles launched from 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers, 6 Kh-22 cruise missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bombers, 6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 2 Kh-31P guided missiles launched from 2 Su-35 fighters, 4 Kh-59 guided missiles from two Su-34 aircraft.

"There is a threat of a missile attack in areas where air strike warnings have been issued! Cruise missile launches from Tu-95MS aircraft have been detected. Seek shelter!", the Ukrainian air force announced.

The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed shooting down seven Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles and one Kh-59 guided missile.

One of the notable weapons launched by Russia in this attack on Ukraine is the Kinzhal missile. The Kinzhal missile is part of an arsenal that Russia claims is unstoppable due to its speed.

Nearly all of Ukraine's provinces have been put on alert as Russian warplanes launched missiles at Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian air defenses shot down Russian missiles in at least five areas across Ukraine, according to local officials.

Police in the Chernihiv region posted a photo showing a large crater left by missile debris. "As a result of enemy missile fragments, several buildings were damaged and one building was almost destroyed," Ukrainian police confirmed.

Explosions were heard at 5:00 a.m. in the city of Dnipro in Dnipropetrovsk region and around 7:00 a.m. in Kropyvnytskyi in Kirovohrad region.

In Dnipropetrovsk, Governor Serhii Lysak announced that "two enemy missiles are now just scrap metal" after being shot down in the Kryvyi Rih district.

In central Ukraine, a rocket was shot down over the Kremenchuk area of ​​Poltava, damaging a building but no casualties were reported.

In Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine, local authorities said a missile was shot down in the area and that, according to current information, "critical infrastructure and civilians were not affected".

In Lviv, the airstrike warning lasted from about 6:30 a.m. to about 8:25 a.m. and "several times missiles came dangerously close to Lviv," according to Governor Maksym Kozytsky.

Due to air defenses in western Ukraine, "the missile was unable to penetrate the airspace of Lviv province," Governor Kozytsky said.

There are no specific details yet about damage to civilian infrastructure or casualties in Russia's latest large-scale incursion into Ukraine.

Russia has recently stepped up its use of missiles in large-scale attacks on targets in Ukraine, including the capital Kiev. Previously, Russia had mainly used drones in nighttime attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned his countrymen to prepare for a new wave of Russian air strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure as winter approaches.

Ukraine and the West believe that Russia uses the tactic of raiding the enemy's energy infrastructure in the cold winter to weaken Kiev's morale and force Ukraine to make concessions.

Meanwhile, Russia explained at the time that its attacks were aimed at weakening Ukraine's ability to send soldiers, weapons and military equipment to the front line.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/may-bay-nem-bom-nga-dong-loat-xuat-kich-phong-ten-lua-o-at-vao-ukraine-20240113165035046.htm