Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson. 28-29 December, 2023 Russia attacked Ukraine with 122 missiles and 36 Shaheds. This is the largest air attack since the start of a full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that more than 100 private houses, 45 high-rise buildings, schools, kindergartens and two churches, a maternity hospital were destroyed or damaged: “We will definitely respond to Russian terrorists for every strike”.
Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal: Kinzhals, S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. About 30 dead and more than 160 wounded as a result of the massive Russian strike on the territory of Ukraine on December 29, 2023.
According to the channel of Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, Ukrainian Air Defense Forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 attack UAVs. The massive bloody attack on Ukraine cost Russia at least $1.27 billion, according to the calculations of “Economic Pravda”.
Reaction of Western politicians
Western politicians, journalists and cultural figures also did not stand aside and expressed their condolences to Ukraine, a country that is going through the most difficult times in its recent history.
US President Joe Biden, commenting on the massive Russian shelling of Ukraine on the night of December 29, 2023 emphasized the need for Congress to approve additional aid for Kyiv as soon as possible.
“The U.S. strongly condemns Russia’s horrific strikes across Ukraine today. As Putin continues his brutal war of aggression, we must support Ukraine in defending itself. Congress needs to act in the new year”, – said Secretary Antony Blinken.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed words of support: “Terrible reports coming out of Ukraine about unprecedented Russian airstrikes on schools, residential buildings, shopping centers and a maternity clinic. Once again, Russia has killed and injured a large number of civilians. Russia is not stopping. The only appropriate response to this is to continue to support Ukraine financially and militarily so it can defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression”.
“These widespread attacks on Ukraine’s cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy. We will not let him win. We must continue to stand with Ukraine – for as long as it takes. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom“, – said Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak.
UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps announced news, our country will receive hundreds of missiles for air defense. “The UK is moving rapidly to bolster Ukraine’s air defence, in the wake of Putin’s murderous air strikes. Hundreds of British made air defence missiles are being sent to ensure it has what it needs to defend itself from Putin’s barbaric bombardment. Putin is testing Ukraine’s defences and the West’s resolve – now is the time for the world to come together and redouble our efforts to get Ukraine what they need to win.“, – he said.
The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevičs, tweeted: “Russian terrorists continue massive shelling of Ukrainian cities. Once again, Ukraine must receive all military and financial aid NOW, this is the only way to stop the war and attacks on civilian targets. Full solidarity with Ukraine in this difficult time”.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the large-scale missile and drone attack. “Attacks on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.”
News media and their reaction to the Russian attack
Even news outlets and TV channels of countries neutral to Ukraine covered these terrible events in their articles.
Qatar state-owned media Al Jazeera reported: “most massive aerial attack” since the start of war in Ukraine. With the front line largely bogged down in trench warfare, Russia has in recent weeks returned to its tactic from last winter, during which it targeted infrastructure, especially energy and heating, leaving millions of Ukrainians struggling to stay warm.
South China Morning Post, is a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper owned by Alibaba Group, in its article describing Russia’s air assault on Ukraine draws criticism at a UN Security Council meeting. China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, did not condemn the attacks but called for a ‘political solution’ to the Ukraine war.
Reaction of the representative of Russia and world organizations
Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said in a lengthy response that Russia had launched attacks only on military infrastructure in Ukraine and that Ukraine’s air defence systems “were responsible for civilian casualties“. Britain’s ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward responded that Russia’s actions were the sole cause of the tragedy in Ukraine. “The rest is a torrent of lies and disinformation,“ Woodward said of Nebenzya’s remarks.
“Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began – with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine,“ UN Assistant Secretary General Khaled Khiari mentioned after briefing the council on the attacks. “Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures, “ he added.
At the same time, an unidentified aerial object entered the airspace of Poland from Ukraine yesterday morning. It was “watched” by the air defense forces until the signal was lost. Polish President Andrzej Duda called an urgent meeting with the military leadership after the violation of airspace. Poland has put the air defense forces on high alert. The General Staff of the Polish Army stated that a Russian missile violated Poland’s airspace on Friday, December 29, 2023.
In this regard, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reported on the conversation with Andrzej Duda about the missile incident in Poland. “NATO stands in solidarity with our valued Ally, is monitoring the situation & we will remain in contact as the facts are established. NATO remains vigilant“.
A similar situation has already occurred in Poland, and several times in Romania. Unfortunately, NATO expresses only categorical concern, and does not proceed to the necessary actions. The worst thing in this situation is that Ukrainians pay with their lives for any pauses and indecisive actions in terms of supplying air defense systems in sufficient quantity.
Ukraine, along with three dozen UN Member States, requested that the Ecuadorian Presidency convene an urgent UNSC meeting to address Russia’s missile and drone attack against Ukraine, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties and heavy destruction of civilian infrastructure.
And finally, in the evening of December 29, 2023 the President of Ukraine thanked the world leaders for their support in this difficult time: “This was the Russian scum’s largest attack. Almost 160 missiles and drones. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Our warriors shot down most of them. It’s important that the world responds to this terror. Many leaders have expressed their support for Ukraine and Ukrainians, and I thank each one of them. Especially those who helped our state with air defense. Today, our air defense warriors accomplished a lot. We will continue to strengthen our air defense and work to return the war back to where it came from — to Russia“.
Conclusion
Today’s missile attack on Ukrainian cities by Putin’s Russia is a practical embodiment of its genocidal rhetoric. Dead and wounded Ukrainians, damaged and destroyed objects of civil infrastructure are a demonstration of the essence of the Russian Federation. Our short conclusion: Ukraine needs strong air defense, the sooner the better. Investments by Western democracies in air defense in Ukraine are a guarantee that missiles and drones from Russia will never reach EU and NATO countries.
