Russia launches fresh wave of missile strikes
Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine on Thursday morning. An all-clear was given around four hours later, shortly after midday local time. On the night of Wednesday into Thursday, Russia pounded Ukraine with Iranian-made drones. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down all 24 drones, including 15 in the skies over Kyiv.
On the morning of January 26, Russia unleashed a massive missile strike across Ukraine following drone attacks overnight. The missiles hit targets in 11 regions, damaged energy facilities, and killed 11 people across Ukraine. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 47 of the 55 Russian missiles. The Russian military fired the missiles from Tu-95, Su-35, MiG-31K aircraft and ships from the Black Sea. Missiles launches included Kh-101, Kh-555, Kh-47 Kinzhal, Kalibr, and guided air-to-surface Kh-59 missiles.
The State Emergency Service said Thursday’s attacks killed 11 people and wounded 11 more. Twenty cruise missiles were shot down over Kyiv.
Missiles hit targets in several regions. Two energy infrastructure facilities were damaged in Odesa region, but no injuries were reported. Impacts were reported in Vinnytsia region, but no details followed. In Kyiv region, the rockets hit a critical infrastructure facility, damaging private houses, apartment buildings and private cars. The strike blew out windows, and damaged roofs and facades of the houses. There were no casualties.
In Kyiv, an explosion was reported in Dniprovskyi district. A missile fragment fell in Holosiyivskyi district, hitting non-residential buildings, killing a 55-year-old man and injuring two more people. They were taken to hospital. The attack did not cause disruption to the operation of energy facilities in the capital.
Russian forces begin assault on Vuhledar
Vuhledar, in Donetsk region is of critical importance to Russia. The city is seen as a strategically important logistical node in southern Donbas and a foothold for a future Ukrainian counteroffensive on the corridor to Crimea. By capturing Vuhledar, the Russian forces would considerably improve their strategic position in Donbas and deepen the defense.
The goal of the Russian military campaign in 2023 is to seize all of Donbas area or push the Ukrainian troops further away from the corridor to Crimea.
The Russians mass their best army units while attempting to capture Vuhledar. These are airborne and marine brigades. They maintain ample stocks of munitions.
Kharkiv region: life after de-occupation. Ukraine in Flames #322
Kharkiv region was under russian occupation for almost 5 months. Ukrainian counteroffensive recaptured most of the Kharkiv region in early September 2022 as Ukrainian troops took control of the strategic cities of Kupyansk, Izium and Balakliya – critical areas for the russian supply and logistics lines. Watch Ukraine in flames #322 to find out what life in those de-occupied cities look like now and how Ukraine is slowly restoring and rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by russian occupiers.
Guests:
- Natalia Kovalenko, Volunteer of NGO “URSA”, Coordinator of Kharkiv Centre of Civilian Preparedness (Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation)
- Serhiy Ovsyannikov, Co-Coordinator of the Volunteer Logistics Centre “Hub Vokzal”, Head of NGO “Kupyansk – our native home”
- Yuriy Larin, journalist
