The Kremlin disclosed Thursday that a day earlier, the Ukrainian military launched six U.S.-made long-range ATACMS missiles and four British-made Storm Shadow missiles against Russian territory.
The projectiles were aimed at the southern Rostov region, with the Russian military saying that its air defense systems were able to hit all four ATACMS missiles and three of the four Storm Shadows.
The statement also promised a harsh response to the attacks, given that this is at least a third of the fourth major wave of long-range attacks. Western missiles have been used against Russian territory perhaps half a dozen times or more now, just a month after Washington originally authorized Kiev.
Wednesday’s ATACMS and Storm Shadow attacks were accompanied by other conventional weapons. In the general attack, some targets were hit, including the oil refinery:
Ukraine hit Russian territory with at least 13 missiles and 84 drones, triggering a fire at an oil refinery in the southern Rostov region that burned for hours, Russian officials said Thursday.
As Russia progresses at its fastest pace since the war began in 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly sought to capture Russia’s oil infrastructure — which funds a significant portion of Russia’s military economy.
“The actions of the Kiev regime, supported by its Western curators, will not go unanswered,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a follow-up.
This retaliation could include more supersonic ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine, which have resonated more frequently lately, specifically more grueling attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid heading into the cold winter months.
On Thursday, Putin warned during President Putin’s year-end Q&A session with reporters that Oreshnik’s missiles could be used more, stressing that there is no defense against them.
“We should have a duel – Oreshnik vs. NATO missile defense over Kiev”
SUPERCUT: Putin’s biggest statements during the annual Q&A pic.twitter.com/M7FYwk4g7y of 4+ hours
– RT (@RT_com) December 19, 2024
“There is no way to shoot down these Oreshnik missiles. Well, if those Western experts you mentioned think they can be shot, then we propose that they – and those in the West and the United States who pay them for their analysis – conduct some kind of technological experiment, a high-tech duel of the 21st century,” Putin explained to the press.
“Let them name some object, let’s say, Kiev, concentrate all their anti-aircraft and missile defense forces there, and we’ll hit it up with Oreshnik and see what happens. We are ready for such an experiment. Is the other half ready?” he posed.
