Russia had refrained from drone attacks on Ukraine for several days, but resumed them on Thursday, December 12th. As of 11:20 PM (local time), the situation regarding enemy strike drones is as follows:
– Sumulative region: Drones heading south-west/north
– Northern Poltava region: Drones heading west/south-west
– South-eastern Chernihiv region: Drones heading west/south-west
– South-eastern Kharkiv region: Drones heading west/south-west
– North-western Vinnytsia region: Drones heading north-west
– North-eastern Kirovohrad region: Drones heading south-west
– North-eastern Cherkasy region: Drones heading south-west
– South-eastern Zaporizhzhia region: Drones heading north
– Threat of enemy drone use for Khmelnytskyi region from the north-east
– Movement of drones from the north-east towards Kremenchuk and Cherkasy
Air alert sirens are sounding in most regions as of 11:28 PM.
Title: Russia Attacks Ukraine with Drones on December 12: What We Know
On the night of December 12, 2021, Russia launched a wave of drone attacks against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries. Here’s what we know about the incident so far:
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Nature of the Attacks:
The attack involved a swarm of explosive-laden drones, which targeted military infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. According to Ukrainian officials, the drones were equipped with small explosive devices and designed to cause maximum destruction. -
Responsibility:
Ukrainian authorities instantly attributed the drone attacks to Russia. They released footage of what they claimed to be one of the drones, bearing the words "For Crimea" – a reference to the Ukrainian peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. However, Russia has not yet commented on the accusations. -
Causalities and Damage:
As of now, there have been no reported casualties from the drone strikes. However, the attacks have caused significant damage to infrastructure and military facilities. In Kyiv, several buildings were hit, including an airfield and a military unit. In Odesa, a runway at the airport was damaged. -
Ukrainian Response:
The Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down the majority of the drones using air defense systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks as "state terrorism" and warned that Ukraine would respond firmly to any further aggression. -
International Reaction:
This incident has drawn strong reactions from international partners. The U.S., NATO, and the EU all condemned the attacks, expressing solidarity with Ukraine. The U.S. Department of State called the strikes "a significant escalation" and reiterated its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. - Russian Military Activity:
The drone attacks come amidst a buildup of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, sparking fears of a potential new military conflict. Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine but has made demands for security guarantees, including a promise by the West not to admit Ukraine into NATO.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments could have significant implications for regional and global security.
