The Russian Ministry of Defense recently announced a large-scale coordinated attack on Ukraine, employing various precision weapons launched from ground and air. These included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), targeting Ukraine's defense industry facilities and supporting energy infrastructure. Moscow described the strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia. "The strike achieved its objectives. All targets were hit," the ministry stated.

Ukrainian firefighters battle a blaze after a Russian attack, in a photo released on 23/12. Photo: DSNS Ukraine

Ukraine's Air Force Command reported that Russia launched 635 suicide and decoy UAVs, three Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and 35 Kh-101 and Iskander-K cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 587 UAVs and 34 Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles. One cruise missile and 39 UAVs struck 21 locations, with debris falling in 8 areas. The Air Force Command added that three Kinzhal missiles missed their targets, and their locations are currently being sought.

AMK Mapping, an X account tracking open-source intelligence on the Ukraine war, stated that Kinzhal missiles and about 9 Kh-101 missiles hit the 330 kV Shepetivka substation in northern Khmelnitsky province. Other primary targets included the 330 kV Zhytomyr substation in Zhytomyr province, an undisclosed site in southern Khmelnitsky province, and a target near the administrative boundary between Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil provinces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces targeted at least 13 Ukrainian provinces, asserting this indicates Moscow "is not serious about peace talks." Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported nationwide emergency power outages. Nearly all of Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytsky provinces in western Ukraine remained without electricity. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, confirmed damage to one of its thermal power plants, without detailing the extent. Local officials in Chernihiv, Lviv, and Odessa provinces also reported damage to energy and essential facilities.

Flight path of Russian missiles during the 23/12 attack. Graphics: X/AMK Mapping

This wave of attacks occurred days after separate negotiations in Florida involving US officials and delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and Europe. Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Donald Trump, praised the constructive discussions but noted no breakthroughs in peace talks.

In recent days, Russian forces have intensified attacks on the port city of Odessa, capital of the southern Ukrainian province, causing fires but no casualties. Ukraine believes Russia aims to destroy its maritime logistics system. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to target cargo ships it deems linked to Russia. Ukrainian officials announced on 19/12 that they used UAVs to attack the oil tanker Qendil in the Mediterranean Sea, causing severe damage. This marked Ukraine's first attack on a target in that sea region.

Nguyen Tien (According to RIA Novosti, AFP, Reuters, RBC Ukraine)