Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine with missiles, drones

The press service of the Ukrainian Air Force reports.

The Air Force's radio-technical troops detected a total of 287 enemy aerial attack assets, including 94 missiles and 193 UAVs, specifically:

• 4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles launched from MiG-31K fighters, launch area – Tambov region;
• 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, launch areas – Bryansk region and occupied Crimea;
• 1 KN-23 ballistic missile, launch area – Bryansk region;
• 55 Kh-101 and Kh-55SM cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers, launch area – Volgograd region;
• 24 Kalibr cruise missiles, launch area – Black Sea waters;
• 7 Iskander-K cruise missiles, launch areas – Voronezh and Rostov regions;
• 1 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided aviation missile, launch area – airspace over the occupied Luhansk region;
• 193 Shahed-type and unidentified strike UAVs from the regions of Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Orel, Bryansk, and Millerovo.

"Aerial attacks were countered by anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, electronic warfare units, mobile fire teams of the Air Force, and the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Notably, F-16s were effectively deployed," the Air Force noted.

As of 11:30 a.m., the confirmed interceptions include:

• 80 cruise missiles (Kh-101/Kh-55SM/Kalibr/Iskander-K);
• 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile;
• 80 Shahed-type and unidentified strike UAVs.

"Additionally, 105 enemy UAVs failed to reach their targets due to active countermeasures by the Defense Forces (they were lost from radar), five returned to Russia, and one returned to Belarus," added the Air Force.

Zelenskyy's reaction to the massive combined shelling of Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on another Russian missile attack on Ukraine, which used cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones. 

According to preliminary reports, there were 93 missiles, the president said, adding that there was at least one North Korean missile. Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian air defense shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by Ukrainian F-16s. The Russians also used almost 200 drones in this attack. This is one of the largest strikes on our energy sector, the Ukrainian leader emphasized.

“This is Putin's "peaceful" plan to destroy everything. This is how he wants to "negotiate" - by terrorizing millions of people. And he is not limited in either range or in buying the necessary components to produce missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in impunity. We need a strong reaction from the world: a massive reaction to a massive attack. This is the only way to stop terror,” Zelenskyy commented.

He emphasized that if leaders are afraid to react or get used to terror, Putin perceives this as permission to continue. 

“We need Petriots to shoot down these missiles and prove that terror will not achieve its goal. We need to strengthen sanctions against Russia for the war in order to have a real impact on Russian missile production. Putin's talk does not stop him - we need a force that will lead to peace. A force that will not be afraid of its ability to stop evil. The world can stop this madness, and to do so, first of all, we need to stop the madness in Moscow, which has been giving orders for terror for 20+ years. We need strength. Ukraine is grateful to everyone who helps,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summarized.

The state of the energy sector

The Energy Ministry said that Russia had carried out the 12th massive attack on civilian energy infrastructure this year.

The damage and consequences are currently being assessed. Power engineers have already started working on restoration where possible.

In response to the attack, the transmission system operator has increased power supply restrictions to avoid overload and balance the system. 

A hit in Kharkiv

On the night of December 13, Russian terrorists hit a residential building in Kharkiv with a Shahed. This was reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

“Preliminary, it hit the roof of a five-story building. No information about the victims has been received so far,” Terekhov wrote at 1:59 a.m.

At 6:16 p.m., the air force reported a new high-speed target on the city and added that it was moving through the Kharkiv region in the direction of Donetsk region.

A minute later, Terekhov wrote about the explosions: “According to preliminary information, the strikes hit a nearby suburb.”

The head of the Regional Military Administration, Syniehubov, said that Russia had struck the Kharkiv district. 

At 6:26 a.m., the media outlet again reported a ballistic missile attack on Kharkiv. Again at 6:48.

Air defense operation in the Kyiv region

The Regional Military Administration reported on the work of air defense in the Kyiv region.

“A UAV was spotted in the airspace. Air defense forces are working on targets,” the statement said.

The Regional State Administration urged people to stay in shelters until the end of the air alert, which was announced in the region at 6:15 p.m.

At 10:35 p.m., the Kyiv Regional Military Administration again reported that air defense was operating in the region. 

Explosions in Sumy

At 10:50 p.m., Suspilne reported that an explosion had occurred in Sumy.