Russia launches cruise missiles and UAVs into Ukraine

In a statement on December 3, the Ukrainian Air Force said that its air defense systems destroyed 10 UAVs before the Russian equipment reached its target. The Russian cruise missiles were not destroyed, but they also failed to hit their intended target. Ukraine did not provide information about the other two UAVs that were not shot down.

Kiev said Russia launched Iranian-made Shahed UAVs from around the Russian port city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk in southern Krasnodar Krai and at least one Kh-59 cruise missile was launched from the Belgorod region.

Ukrainian air defense intercepted a Shahed UAV over Kiev in May 2023. (Photo: AP)

The UAVs entered Ukrainian airspace through the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Most of them were shot down by southern defense forces in Mykolaiv region, the rest were intercepted in the Starokostiantyniv district of Khmelnytskyi region, western Ukraine.

There are currently no reports on the extent of damage caused by debris from the Russian UAV.

Russia has not commented on the above information.

In an exclusive interview published by the Associated Press on December 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky predicted a resumption of intense Russian air strikes. Such attacks last year destroyed vital civilian infrastructure, affecting power, heat and water supplies. Russia also targeted grain storage facilities and ports, hampering the ability to export.

Although Ukraine has a relatively strong air defense system thanks to the support of its Western allies, according to Mr. Zelensky, Russia appears to be intent on suppressing this capability. Therefore, Mr. Zelensky emphasized that protecting civilian areas while maintaining defenses on a long front line makes the winter campaign especially difficult.

Hoang Pham (Source: VOV.VN)

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