Russia cynically justifies deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities, threatens new offensive
Photo: Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff Valery Gerasimov (Russian media)
Russia has justified its recent attacks on Ukraine and threatened a new offensive on the front lines, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Today, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, held a briefing, during which he made a series of claims. He said that Russia continues to strike what it describes as "exclusively military targets and objects of Ukraine's military-industrial complex."
"During the spring and summer period, such strikes were carried out on 76 key targets. Priority is given to hitting enterprises producing missile systems and long-range drones," Gerasimov said.
He added that in July and August, a series of strikes targeted key production sites involved in creating the operational-tactical complex Sapsan. According to Gerasimov, design bureaus, workshops producing warhead components, control systems, and rocket engines were destroyed.
Cynical Russian justification for attacks on Ukrainian cities
On the night of July 28, Russian forces launched a combined attack on Kyiv using drones and various types of missiles. The strikes caused fires, extensive damage to residential buildings, and dozens of civilian deaths.
According to Gerasimov, Russia hit facilities producing ballistic missiles Sapsan, Hrim-2, and attack drones. He also claimed that airbases in Starokostiantyniv, Vasylkiv, and Kolomyia were targeted.
Last night, strikes were allegedly carried out on the Pivdenmash enterprise in Dnipro, Motor Sich in Zaporizhzhia, and assembly workshops at a chemical plant in Pavlohrad.
"Additionally, aviation equipment and infrastructure objects at ten military airfields (Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, Dubno, Voznesensk, Cherkasy, Kanatove, Kolomyia, Ozernye, Vasylkove, and Starokostiantyniv) were hit," Gerasimov said.
In reality, Zaporizhzhia suffered the most damage that night. Residential buildings were damaged or destroyed, the electricity supply was disrupted, and the number of casualties continued to rise throughout the day. More than 30 civilians were wounded.
Russia intends to continue the war
Gerasimov also claimed that Russia holds the strategic initiative on the battlefield and signaled that the country intends to continue the war against Ukraine. He mentioned that the Russian military would pursue an upcoming offensive.
"The execution of the special military operation tasks by the Joint Group of Forces will continue through offensive actions. Today, we will clarify the tasks for the troop groups in the operational directions for the autumn period," he said.
Latest Russian strike on Ukraine
The latest strike on Ukraine occurred on the night of August 30, when Russian forces launched 582 air attack devices, including 537 drones and 45 missiles of various types.
As of 9 AM Kyiv time, Ukraine's air defense had shot down 548 enemy targets, including 510 drones, six ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise and aviation missiles.
