Russia has vowed to retaliate after its military claimed to have intercepted and shot down eight U.S.-made ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine on Saturday morning. Moscow considers the use of these missiles—capable of reaching targets up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) away—a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Claims of Downed Missiles and Drones

According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Russian air defenses successfully destroyed the eight ATACMS ballistic missiles, along with 72 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which resembled aircraft. The ministry’s statement condemned these actions, calling them a provocative move by the Ukrainian government, which is supported by Western powers. The statement warned of retaliatory actions in response to Ukraine’s missile attacks.

In addition to the missiles, several UAVs were destroyed in the Leningrad region in north-west Russia and one in Kursk, a region where Ukraine launched a surprise attack last summer. Ukrainian drone strikes forced temporary flight restrictions at St. Petersburg’s airport, according to Russian state media.

U.S. Approval of ATACMS Missiles for Ukraine

The U.S. President, Joe Biden, authorized the use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine in November 2023, citing Russia’s increased aggression, including deploying North Korean troops. The decision marked a significant step in U.S. military support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

In response to the ATACMS deployment, Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed a strong retaliation, even suggesting the use of Russia’s new nuclear-capable ballistic missile, “Oreshnik,” in potential strikes against Kyiv. Putin further hinted that the missile could be used to test Western-supplied air defense systems, as he warned of escalating tensions.

Drone Attacks and Escalating Tensions

On January 4, Russia claimed to have destroyed a record number of UAVs over the Leningrad region, with Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko reporting four drones shot down. Ukrainian security official Andrii Kovalenko stated that a seaport in Leningrad had been targeted, describing it as a vital economic and military asset for Russia, especially as it faces international isolation.

In a reciprocal move, Russia launched 81 drones at Ukraine overnight, including Iranian-made Shahed drones. Ukraine’s Air Force Command reported downing 34 of the drones, though some caused damage in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.

Russian Gains on the Eastern Front

As the conflict enters its third year, Russia continues to make territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its forces had captured the village of Nadiya in the eastern Luhansk region. In Donetsk, the strategic hub of Pokrovsk is under increasing pressure from Russian forces, as Ukrainian troops continue to lose ground in the south and east of the town.

Concerns Over Future Military Aid to Ukraine

Ukraine is also concerned about the potential impact of U.S. political changes. With former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting he would seek to end the conflict, there is growing apprehension in Kyiv that vital military aid could be cut under a potential Trump administration. These developments come at a critical time, as Ukraine faces continued pressure from Russia on multiple fronts.

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Russia launched a series of air strikes in Syria on Sunday, targeting key rebel positions as opposition forces advanced toward the south. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the strikes killed four people and wounded 50 others in Idlib, a city in north-western Syria. Rural areas of Idlib and Hama, recently captured by rebel groups, were also hit.

This latest offensive, which began earlier in the week, marks some of the fiercest fighting in Syria’s civil war in recent years. Since Wednesday, over 300 people have been killed, including at least 20 civilians.

Rebels Take Aleppo Amid Russian Strikes

For the first time since 2016, Russian forces carried out air strikes on Aleppo on Saturday. Rebel fighters, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), made significant gains in the city, capturing large sections with minimal resistance. Aleppo, once a stronghold of the opposition, fell to government forces in 2016, but it is now back in rebel hands.

The rebels have pushed southward, advancing into several towns near Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city. Syrian forces have drawn up defensive lines around key towns in the region, with both Syrian and Russian warplanes intensifying air strikes on rebel positions. These strikes have resulted in multiple casualties.

Syrian Military Responds

The Syrian military has reinforced its defenses in the region, deploying additional troops, heavy artillery, and rocket launchers. The government claims to have recaptured several towns from the rebels and stopped their advance. President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to protect Syria’s stability, promising to eliminate the terrorist threat with the help of allies, including Russia and Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, expressed his country’s full support for the Syrian government and military, signaling continued backing in the face of the ongoing offensive.

The State of Syria’s Civil War

The Syrian civil war began in 2011, when protests against Assad’s government were met with violent crackdowns. Since then, the war has claimed the lives of nearly half a million people. While much of the fighting has died down since a 2020 ceasefire, opposition forces continue to control Idlib and surrounding areas.

Idlib is located just 55 km from Aleppo, which was previously a rebel stronghold. The current offensive, spearheaded by HTS and allied factions backed by Turkey, is the largest escalation in the region in years.

Rebels Gain Ground and Impose Curfew

Rebels have taken control of Aleppo’s airport and several nearby towns. A curfew has been imposed, starting at 5 p.m. local time. The rebels have also advanced southward toward Hama, while the Syrian army reportedly withdrew from some areas. However, state media disputes these claims, with military sources saying the rebels launched broad attacks along both the Aleppo and Idlib fronts, covering over 100 km of territory.

Russian Involvement in the Conflict

Russian air strikes in Aleppo and Idlib signal Moscow’s continued support for Assad. The strikes on Aleppo were the first since the city was recaptured from the opposition in 2016. The escalation is a sign that Russia remains heavily involved in Syria’s conflict, using air power to target rebel forces.

As the fighting intensifies, many residents of Aleppo are fleeing, with reports showing long lines of cars on roads leaving the city. Smoke was visible rising from the skyline, as people attempt to escape the violence.

The ongoing reliance on Russian and Iranian support, along with Syria’s failure to adhere to a 2015 UN peace plan, has contributed to the continued instability in the country, according to a U.S. spokesperson.

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Ukraine is facing another wave of attacks as Russia targets its energy infrastructure in a large-scale offensive, causing power outages across the country.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, confirmed that explosions rocked energy facilities “all over Ukraine.” In a post on Facebook, he urged citizens to take shelter amid ongoing emergency power outages designed to protect critical systems and people’s safety.

The strikes come amid a barrage of missile and drone attacks, with the Ukrainian Air Force issuing a nationwide air raid warning early Thursday morning. Over the past several days, Russia has reportedly carried out around 1,500 airstrikes, impacting roughly half of Ukraine’s regions.

Several cities remain under threat. Kyiv, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Kropyvnytskyi, Balta, and Mykolaiv were all named as potential targets for incoming missiles and drones. In Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov reported shelling in civilian neighborhoods, while Lutsk’s Mayor Ihor Polishchuk shared that multiple explosions were heard, with power outages affecting parts of the city.

Odesa, a crucial Black Sea port, also faced explosions, according to local media outlet Zerkalo Tyzhnya. Regional governor Oleg Kiper warned residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant. Meanwhile, strikes have also hit Sumy and Volyn regions, causing additional concerns.

As the conflict intensifies, the ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid highlight the harsh realities civilians face — coping with both the threat of violence and the challenges of losing essential services like electricity. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, calling on people to follow safety protocols while efforts to protect critical infrastructure are underway.

Source: AP News – Putin threatens Kyiv decision-makers after striking energy grid

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