Russia back to attacks against Ukrainian energy sector - British intelligence
Russia back to attacks against Ukrainian energy sector (photo: Getty Images)
Russia has probably moved on to a larger-scale campaign against Ukraine's energy sector. Ukrainian air defense coped with the enemy attack, states the press service of the British Defense Ministry.
British intelligence recalled that on December 8, for the first time since September 2023, the Russians launched a wave of powerful strikes on Kyiv and central Ukraine using heavy bombers.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, these aircraft, probably Tu-95s, launched at least 16 air-launched cruise missiles from their typical operational area over the Caspian Sea. These were X-101 missiles (called AS-23a KODIAK in NATO countries).
"This was probably the start of a more concerted campaign by Russia aimed at degrading Ukraine's energy infrastructure," the report says.
But, as the intelligence adds, most of these missiles were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defense. Although the Russian attack resulted in a casualty, the damage was minimal.
Missile attack on Ukraine on December 8
On the morning of December 8, for the first time since September 21, 2023, Russia used Tu-95MS strategic bombers against Ukraine. The planes fired 19 cruise missiles of the X-101 and X-555 types at Ukraine, 14 of which were shot down.
The missiles were flying toward Kyiv, but did not reach their target, they were shot down on approach. Some of the missiles were also shot down in the Dnipropetrovsk region, but there was a hit and a casualty.
Air Force spokesperson Iurii Ihnat admits that the occupiers may repeat the attacks with cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
