Russian forces launched an extensive missile and drone assault on May 24, primarily targeting Kyiv and its environs, resulting in casualties and widespread damage across the capital. This multi-hour attack, described as one of the largest in the past year, involved hundreds of missiles and drones and impacted every district of Kyiv, including central areas. Numerous civilian homes, infrastructure, and cultural institutions, such as the National Art Museum and the Chornobyl Museum, sustained damage, with the latter reporting irretrievable losses to its collection. The attack also saw the use of Russia’s Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, marking its third deployment against Ukraine, and prompted Poland to scramble fighter jets to protect its airspace.
Read More
Intelligence shared with Ukraine from US and European partners suggests Russia may be preparing a strike utilizing the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, potentially targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian territories. President Zelenskyy has urged the public to heed air-raid warnings and utilize shelters. The use of such weapons is presented as a dangerous global precedent, with Ukraine appealing to international partners for preventive pressure on Moscow to avoid further escalation and the prolongation of the conflict. Ukraine states it is bolstering its air defenses and will respond to any Russian strikes.
Read More
A Russian missile and drone attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil has resulted in at least 25 fatalities, including three children, and 73 injuries, including 15 children. The strikes, considered one of the deadliest in the region since the full-scale invasion, targeted residential flats, with significant damage reported. The Ukrainian air force claimed to have intercepted a significant number of missiles and drones, including some shot down by Western-supplied fighter jets, but requested continued and timely supplies of aviation weapons to bolster defense capabilities, highlighting the devastating impact of the attacks.
Read More
On August 21st, Russian forces targeted the city of Mukachevo in Zakarpattia with cruise missiles, hitting a civilian enterprise. The attack, confirmed by local officials, struck a major factory employing thousands, causing a large fire and injuring 15 people. A US-owned electronics manufacturer was the specific target, with officials reporting the factory produced consumer goods and had no military connections. This assault was part of a larger overnight barrage across Ukraine, including attacks on Lviv and Zaporizhzhia.
Read More
Following a Russian missile strike on June 1st that killed 12 soldiers at the 239th Polygon training ground near Dnipro, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi resigned as Commander of the Ukrainian Land Forces. The attack, which also injured 60, targeted a training battalion, prompting Drapatyi to accept responsibility. This incident follows a similar attack at the same location in March. Investigations into the incident and potential negligence are underway to determine accountability.
Read More
On March 1st, two Russian Iskander-M missiles struck the Panama-flagged MSC LEVANTE F container ship in Odesa, reportedly injuring two port workers and damaging port infrastructure. Russia claimed the ship carried British weapons from a Turkish NATO base, a claim denied by Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba, who stated the cargo was entirely civilian. A second ship, the SUPER SARKAS, was also reportedly hit. The incident follows a pattern of Russian attacks on civilian vessels in Ukrainian ports.
Read More
The December 25th crash of an Azerbaijani Embraer aircraft in Kazakhstan, killing 38, was caused by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system missile strike, according to an Azerbaijani government source. Azerbaijan possesses a recovered missile fragment as proof. President Aliyev has demanded Russia accept responsibility and publicly apologize. Ukraine has also called for a transparent investigation into the incident, alleging a potential Russian cover-up.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker