"Used Nearly Every Type Of Weapon": Ukraine President Zelenskyy On Russia's "Most Massive Aerial Attack" Since War Began

On Friday (29 December), officials reported that Russia had fired 122 missiles and deployed 36 drones against targets in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 civilians. An air force official described this as the most significant aerial assault in the 22-month conflict.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's military chief, reported that the Ukrainian air force had successfully intercepted 87 missiles and 27 Shahed-type drones during the night.

Mykola Oleshchuk, the Air Force commander, stated on his official Telegram channel that the "most massive aerial attack" has occurred since Russia's full-on invasion in February 2022.

The Ukrainian air force has reported that the largest attack prior to this year occurred in November 2022, when Russia fired 96 missiles at Ukraine. However, the most significant assault this year took place on March 9, with a total of 81 missiles, as indicated by air force documentation.

The battle at the front line has primarily been stalled by the winter weather, following Ukraine's unsuccessful summer counterattack which did not achieve a substantial advance along the approximately 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) contact line.

Officials from Ukraine have implored their Western allies to bolster their air defence capabilities to safeguard against aerial assaults similar to the one that occurred on Friday. These pleas have emerged amidst indications of war-weariness that are testing the resolve to maintain support.

Ukrainian officials reported that numerous individuals sustained injuries and an uncertain amount were trapped beneath debris due to the approximately 18-hour long attack. A maternity hospital, residential buildings, and schools were among the structures reported to have suffered damage throughout Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that a broad range of weaponry, such as ballistic and cruise missiles, were employed by the Kremlin's forces.

“Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal,” Zelenskyy said on social media platform X.

Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that Russia seemingly deployed all their arsenal, barring the submarine-launched Kalibr missiles, in the assault.

The air assault that was initiated on Thursday and persisted overnight targeted six cities, encompassing the capital, Kyiv, and various regions extending from east to west and north to south of Ukraine, as reported by the authorities.