Russians Thoughtfully Send New Year’s Gift, Attacked Ukraine from Four Directions, Launched a Total of 90 Enemy Drones “Shahed-136/131” – Ukraine Returns Favor by Downing 87

On the night of New Year’s Eve, Ukraine faced a significant security threat as Russian forces launched a massive drone assault, deploying a total of 90 drones in a coordinated attack. The assault, involving 66 Iranian kamikaze drones on December 31 and an additional 26 on January 1, targeted various regions of Ukraine, posing a severe risk to both civilian lives and critical infrastructure.

Scope of the Drone Assault

The Russian drone assault unfolded in waves from multiple directions, including Cape Chauda, Balaklava in Crimea, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the Russian Federation. This coordinated approach aimed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences and create chaos in the targeted regions.

Air Defense Response and Success Rate

The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a notable success in repelling the drone assault. Ukrainian air defences successfully shot down 87 of the 90 drones, a remarkable achievement reflecting the efficiency and preparedness of the country’s defence systems. The interceptions occurred in various regions, with the southern and western parts of Ukraine experiencing concentrated attacks.

Localized Damage and Casualties

Despite the overall success in neutralizing most of the drones, Odesa suffered casualties and damages. Governor Oleg Kiper reported that one person lost their life in a Russian drone attack, and three others were wounded. Several buildings were damaged by the downed drones, leading to fires in residential areas.

Strikes on Critical Infrastructure

In addition to the drone attacks, Russian forces targeted specific regions with missile strikes. The Kharkiv region was hit with four S-300 anti-aircraft-guided missiles.

In comparison, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59 were launched from the occupied territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. These strikes not only posed a threat to civilian lives but also caused damage to critical infrastructure.

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Heritage Sites Damaged

The Lviv region witnessed the destruction of two significant national heritage sites. The museum of OUN-UPA commander Roman Shukhevych and a university in Dublany associated with Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera suffered damage during the assault. The destruction of cultural and historical landmarks adds another layer of concern to the volatile situation.

Escalation of Tensions

The drone assault comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Recent days have seen a series of strikes, including an unprecedented attack on the Russian city of Belgorod that resulted in 24 casualties.

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Moscow responded with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian cities, causing 39 deaths in one of the most significant aerial attacks since the conflict began.

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Day of Mourning in Kyiv

As a grim aftermath of the recent attacks, January 1 was declared a day of mourning in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, where 27 people lost their lives, according to city officials. The toll on civilian lives underscores the severity of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution.

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Conclusion

The unprecedented drone assault on Ukraine on New Year’s Eve underscores the volatility of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

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While the successful interception of the majority of the drones is commendable, the damages incurred and the loss of civilian lives highlight the urgent need for international intervention and a diplomatic resolution to prevent further escalation and human suffering.

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