Russian air force hits Ukrainian power, gas facilities
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The Russian Defense Ministry reveals that in the past day, the Russian Air Force downed three Ukrainian Su-25 assault aircraft at the Voznesensk airport in the Mykolaiv area.
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Mig-31Ks armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fly over Moscow during a parade. (Sputnik)
Russian aerospace forces launched missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian power and gas infrastructure, rendering Ukrainian defense sector businesses inoperable, the Russian Defense Ministry declared on Sunday.
The Ministry detailed how Russian forces launched a coordinated attack against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and gas production sites using "long-range air-based precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles," adding that the operation impacted the operations of defense sector businesses that produce and repair weapons, military equipment, and ammunition.
The government noted that all benchmarks had been hit.
3 Ukrainian SU-25 eliminated in Mykolaiv Region
The Russian Defense Ministry also revealed that in the past day, the Russian Air Force downed three Ukrainian Su-25 assault aircraft at the Voznesensk airport in the Mykolaiv area and hit three S-300 air defense systems and other targets,
"Strategic and tactical aviation, missile troops and artillery of groups of troops of the Russian armed forces destroyed three Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft at the Voznesensk airfield in the Mykolayiv region," the statement explained.
Coincidingly, an engagement radar, a battle command vehicle, and a low-altitude surveillance radar were all destroyed as were three S-300 air defense system launchers, according to the Ministry. Two weapons depots and a manufacturing and storage facility for unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as Ukrainian staff and military gear in 126 areas, were also hit.
Ukraine faces tough Spring amid potential renewed Russian offensive
An opinion piece by The Economist on Thursday detailed that the coming Spring season promises to be difficult for Ukraine as Russia is likely to mount a new offensive, as it did in 2023.
Despite the temporary respite provided by warmer weather, Ukraine's ability to repel a potential Russian offensive seems much less certain now than it did a year ago.
"That is why it urgently needs to mobilize more troops and build more robust front-line defenses," The Economist said.
According to the op-ed, Ukrainians blame global politicians for their hardships as Western allies, preoccupied with various issues like the Middle East and upcoming elections, are failing to provide adequate support.
It further notes that the political deadlock in the US increases the risk of Russia penetrating Ukraine's weak defenses, while European efforts, despite rhetoric from leaders like Macron, lack substantial support, with Germany's reluctance to provide crucial weaponry like Taurus missiles.
Zelensky warns US Ukraine will retreat 'step by step' if aid stops
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that if Washington fails to assist Kiev, Ukraine will be compelled to retreat incrementally, as reported in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Friday.
"If there is no U.S., support, it means that we have no air defense, no Patriot missiles, no jammers for electronic warfare, no 155-millimeter artillery rounds," he said. "It means we will go back, retreat, step by step, in small steps."
Zelensky additionally mentioned that Ukraine lacks sufficient interceptors and other air-defense weaponry.
"That's true. I don't want Russia to know what number of air-defense missiles we have, but basically, you're right," he said. "Without the support of Congress, we will have a big deficit of missiles. This is the problem. We are increasing our own air-defense systems, but it is not enough."
Elsewhere in his remarks, he conveyed that Ukraine is endeavoring to discover alternatives to avoid withdrawing.
This comes as the US ally is reportedly facing a critical shortage of ammunition in the war.
