Russia may have attacked key Ukrainian military plant

Russia's unprecedented airstrike appears to have targeted several Ukrainian military factories, including facilities that manufacture UAVs and missiles.

The British Economist newspaper today quoted an anonymous source in the Ukrainian defense industry as saying that a series of military facilities in the country, including factories manufacturing long-range missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), were the main targets of Russia's fierce airstrikes on December 29.

"The attack is of strategic significance to the enemy, aimed at limiting Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities. Both sides are trying to wear down each other's forces. This is a race to determine which side can destroy more of the enemy's long-range weapons," the source said.

Ukrainian military commander Valery Zaluzhny earlier posted on Telegram, confirming that "many key infrastructure, military plants and industrial facilities were attacked" but did not provide further details.

A warehouse in Kiev was destroyed after a Russian airstrike on December 29. Photo: AFP

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on December 29 that it had conducted 50 coordinated attacks, along with a fierce raid using UAVs and long-range guided weapons against Ukraine in the past week.

"The targets included defense industrial complexes, military airports, weapons and ammunition depots, suicide boat manufacturing plants and fuel depots," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti on the same day quoted sources in Ukraine as saying that the fierce airstrike targeted the Artem defense plant on the outskirts of the capital Kiev. This is an enterprise specializing in manufacturing air-to-air missiles and auxiliary systems, anti-tank missiles and aviation equipment for the Ukrainian army.

The Kharkov Malyshev Transport Engineering Plant (KZTM), which manufactures and repairs Ukrainian armored vehicles, also appears to have been hit by multiple shells in the airstrike. "Other targets include an anti-aircraft battery and ammunition depot in the Odessa region, the Yavoriv training base and a foreign mercenary gathering point in the city of Lviv in the same region," the source said.

The situation of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Graphics: WP

Ukraine said Russia launched 158 missiles of various types and Shahed-136/131 suicide drones at a series of key cities in the country, marking Moscow's largest attack since the conflict broke out.

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down 87 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles and 27 UAVs, or 72% of the total Russian weapons deployed. However, Ukrainian air defenses failed to intercept any of the Kinzhal, Kh-22/32, S-300, Iskander-M, Kh-31P and Kh-59 missiles.

The attack left 31 people dead and more than 130 injured.

Vu Anh (According to Economist, RIA Novosti, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia )

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