A devastating onslaught of Russian missiles and drones has left at least five dead and over 130 injured in Ukraine’s largest cities, with Kyiv officials reporting the use of U.S.-provided Patriot missiles as defense. However, the recent attack, featuring hypersonic missiles, overwhelmed the system, marking a tragic turn in the conflict. This follows Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s vow to retaliate after a Ukrainian strike on a Russian city.
Overwhelmed Defenses in Kyiv
Kyiv’s reliance on U.S.-supplied Patriot missiles as a safety net proved insufficient as Russian forces unleashed an onslaught involving approximately 100 missiles, including hypersonic “Kinzhal” ballistic missiles. Despite the Ukrainian military claiming a perfect record in destroying the Kinzhals, the scale of the attack caused significant damage.
Images shared by a Ukrainian parliament member revealed the aftermath, with blown-out windows in her Kyiv apartment. Though she suffered minor injuries, the assault underscored the severity of Moscow’s strategy, overwhelming Kyiv’s air defenses and causing collateral damage.
Amid fears of further attacks, Ukraine’s security service (SBU) warned against using webcams showing the skyline in real-time, citing examples of Russian hacking for targeting assistance. As tensions escalate, Poland, Ukraine’s neighbor, deploys F-16 fighter jets to safeguard its airspace in response to a previous Russian missile breaching its territory.
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Escalating Regional Tensions
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensifies as Poland, a NATO member, responds to the security threat by deploying F-16 fighter jets to protect its airspace. This move follows last week’s detection of a Russian missile briefly crossing into Polish territory, part of a broader Russian strike during the holidays.
The situation raises concerns of further hostilities, prompting neighboring countries to bolster their defenses. The international community closely watches developments, hoping for diplomatic resolutions to prevent further escalation in the already volatile region.
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