Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities after it accused Kyiv of carrying out drone strikes on its air bases housing bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Firefighters work outside an office building destroyed in shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. (Photo: Reuters)
By India Today Web Desk: Russia on Monday launched a new volley of missiles across Ukraine after claiming that Kyiv hit its two air bases deep inside the country, miles away from the front lines of war. The fresh missile strikes knocked out power in many areas just as emergency blackouts were due to end. The new wave of strikes plunged parts of Ukraine into darkness and freezing cold.
Although Ukraine did not claim responsibility for drone strikes on Russian air bases, this was the deepest attack inside the Russian heartland since the beginning of the war in February.
The attack in Russia threatened a major escalation of the nine-month war because it hit an airfield housing bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Here are the top developments in the Russia-Ukraine war in five points.
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Ukrainian drones struck two air bases deep inside the heartland, Russia said on Monday, shortly before launching massive missile strikes across Ukraine that struck homes and killed four civilians.
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The Russian Defense Ministry said three servicemen were killed and four others wounded by debris, and that two aircraft were slightly damaged as it shot down two Ukrainian drones.
The attacks on the Engels base in the Saratov region and the Dyagilevo base in the Ryazan region were part of Ukraine’s efforts to curtail Russia’s long-range bomber force, the ministry said. Engels base houses the Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers that have been involved in launching strikes on Ukraine.
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Russia has been launching missiles at Ukraine in retaliation for another bold attack — the October 8 truck bombing of a vital bridge linking its mainland to the Crimean Peninsula. President Vladimir Putin on Monday visited the site of the explosion and drove a Mercedes across the Crimean bridge, coming close to the front lines of war for the first time.
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Every downed Russian missile is concrete proof that terror can be defeated, said Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address as attack on power grid knocked out power in many areas. However, power facilities were damaged in only three areas, not as widespread as in previous attacks, AP reported.
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The war has displaced millions from their homes, killed and injured tens of thousands of people and shaken the world economy. The war is driving up the price and curtailing the availability of food, fertilizer and fuel that are key exports from Ukraine and Russia.