Russia deployed a staggering 90 Shahed-type drones in a series of attacks across Ukraine during the early hours of the New Year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to a military hospital on New Year's Day, declared an intention to "intensify" assaults on Ukraine, signaling a worrying escalation in the ongoing conflict, as per CBS News.
Putin Vows Escalation After Belgorod, Odesa Attacks
TOPSHOT - Local residents inspect damages outside an apartment building after the overnight Russian drones attack in Kharkiv, December 31, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv said on December 31, 2023, it destroyed 21 of 49 Iranian-made "Shahed" drones fired by Russia overnight, adding that six guided missiles had also targeted the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Putin's announcement came in the wake of a devastating attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod, resulting in over two dozen casualties and more than 100 injuries. Ukraine claimed to have intercepted 87 of the drones, yet tragic consequences unfolded as a 15-year-old boy lost his life, and seven others were injured due to falling debris in the Black Sea port city of Odesa.
In the western city of Lviv, a museum suffered severe damage, and university buildings in Dubliany were also affected, although no casualties were reported. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, describing the strike as "symbolic and cynical," emphasized that this was a war for Ukraine's history.
Addressing Russian soldiers, Putin expressed his determination to escalate attacks on Ukraine, almost two years after the initial invasion. Denouncing a Ukrainian attack on Belgorod near the border, Putin stated, "We will intensify strikes. Not a single crime against our civilian population will go unpunished."
The Ukrainian government countered Putin's claims, stating that civilian casualties in Belgorod resulted from falling fragments of Ukrainian drones downed by Russian air defense. The incident followed an 18-hour series of Russian airstrikes that killed 49 people, described by Ukrainian officials as the most significant aerial barrage of the conflict.
Putin asserted that Russia held the "strategic initiative" in the war, emphasizing Moscow's desire to end the conflict on its terms. Simultaneously, he expressed frustration after Ukrainian missile strikes on Belgorod, resulting in 20 deaths and 111 injuries, labeling it a "terrorist attack" deliberately targeting civilians, according to The Guardian.
Putin Pledges Retaliation in Ukraine
Responding to questions about potential retaliation, Putin acknowledged his anger but urged caution, asking, "Is this what we should do?"
He pledged that the strikes "will not go unpunished" and affirmed Russia's commitment to targeting "sensitive" military objectives in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to unleash the nation's "wrath" on Russian forces. Ukraine claimed to have downed a record number of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones, with 87 out of 90 intercepted. Zelensky announced plans for additional drones and F-16 fighter jets from Western partners, promising that Russia would face the "wrath of domestic production."
Port infrastructure in Odesa suffered damage from explosions triggered by the drone attacks, and defiant Mayor Gennady Trukhanov condemned Russia's actions as the city approached the New Year. In Lviv, historical sites, including the Roman Shukhevych Memorial Museum, were damaged, symbolizing a war for Ukraine's history.
As the conflict continues, both sides exchange accusations, with Russia denying allegations of targeting civilian infrastructure. The international community watches with concern as tensions escalate, and the need for a diplomatic resolution becomes increasingly urgent, Daily Mail reported.
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