The Ministry of Defense of Great Britain reported the information.
For the first time since September 21, 2023, Russia launched a significant wave of strikes on Kyiv and central Ukraine on December 7, utilizing heavy bombers, likely Tu-95s. These aircraft fired at least 16 air-launched cruise missiles, believed to be Kh-101 and Kh-102, from their usual operational zone over the Caspian Sea.
British intelligence indicates these missiles were likely stockpiled by Russia for a winter campaign, marking the commencement of a coordinated effort to dismantle Ukraine's energy infrastructure, as emphasized by the British Ministry of Defense.
While most of these missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, one civilian casualty occurred, with minimal damage reported from the attack.
On December 8, Russia launched cruise missiles from Tu-95MS bombers, targeting Kyiv through Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Nineteen missiles were launched, with 14 intercepted by air defense systems.
During the Kyiv shelling on December 8, Russian troops utilized decoy missiles to confuse and wear out Ukraine's air defenses, as reported by ISW.