January 4th 2025.
Russia has declared its intention to retaliate after claiming that Ukraine launched eight US-made ATACMS missiles on Saturday morning. Moscow views the use of these missiles, which can travel up to 300 kilometers, as a significant escalation in the conflict. According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, the country's air defenses successfully shot down all eight ballistic missiles and 72 unmanned aerial vehicles, which were being used by Ukraine's military. The Ministry of Defense also stated that these actions by Ukraine, with support from Western powers, will not go unanswered.
The statement went on to mention that several drones were destroyed in the Leningrad and Kursk regions, where Ukraine had launched a surprise attack last year. This attack was approved by the outgoing US President, Joe Biden, in response to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops. In a show of strength, Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to retaliate with their new nuclear-capable ballistic missile, "Oreshnik," if Ukraine continues to use ATACMS. Putin even suggested that this missile could be aimed at the capital city of Kyiv as a test for Western-supplied air defense systems.
Last November, the first and only launch of this experimental weapon targeted Ukraine's Dnipro region. The resulting drone attacks led to temporary restrictions being imposed at an airport in St. Petersburg, as reported by the Russian state media agency TASS. According to the governor of Leningrad oblast, Aleksandr Drozdenko, the night and morning of January 4 saw a record-breaking number of UAVs being destroyed, with four being shot down in his region alone.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force Command reported that Russia had launched a total of 81 drones overnight on Friday into Saturday, including Iranian-made Shahed drones and other imitation drones. In response, Ukraine successfully shot down 34 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones, although there was some damage in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.
As the conflict enters 2025, Ukraine finds itself at a disadvantage, with Russia making gains on the eastern frontlines. The situation is further complicated by concerns that the incoming Trump administration may cut vital military aid, as Trump himself has promised to end the conflict. This is a cause for worry for Ukraine, as they continue to face Russian pressure in the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.
It is clear that tensions between Russia and Ukraine show no signs of easing, and both sides are willing to take aggressive actions to defend their interests. The-CNN-Wire & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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