Ukraine struck targets deep inside Russia using missiles and drones in one of its biggest recent attacks as Donald Trump prepares to start his second presidential term next week.
The strikes were carried out on January 13 and 14 on industrial and military targets up to 680 miles into Russia in Bryansk, Saratov, and Tula oblasts and the Republic of Tatarstan, Ukrainian officials said.
Among the targets struck were an oil refinery near Engels, Saratov Oblast, which provides fuel for the strategic bombers, and a chemical plant in Bryansk that provides material for missile systems, the officials said.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed to identify the missiles used, saying they were among the most advanced sent to Ukraine: the British/French Storm Shadow missiles and US ATACMS.
It said 146 drones were also involved in the attack.
On Monday, Russia launched with drone and missile strikes at energy infrastructure targets across Ukraine.
Both the Ukrainian and Russian militaries said they intercepted most of the missiles, a claim that was not possible to verify.
The Ukrainian amount to a show of strength just before President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term on Monday.
Trump has harshly criticized Ukraine’s strikes on Russia, and President Joe Biden for allowing the involvement of US weapons.
In a December interview with Time magazine, he said: “It’s crazy what’s taking place. It’s crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done.”
Trump officials have suggsted that Ukraine could be forced to cede some territory now occupied by Russia in a peace deal.
Analyzing the moves, the former UK foreign minister William Hague told Times Radio Tuesday that both sides were seeking to “position themselves” for a new Trump administration.
“The Russians have been trying to grab more territory. The Ukrainians have been striking back harder in order to get them settled positions,” said Hague.
In the run-up to Trump’s inauguration, fighting has intensified between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine has attacked sites in Russia using missiles and drones, Russia has made important advances on the front line in east Ukraine.
It’s also intensified its bid to oust Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukraine still holds territory.
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