Ukraine Claims Largest Offensive of War Amid Rising Tensions

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Ukraine Launches Largest Strike of the War, Targets Deep Inside Russia

Kyiv, January 14, 2025 – Ukraine has carried out what it claims is its “most massive” attack of the war, striking several targets deep within Russian territory on Tuesday. According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, ammunition depots and chemical plants were hit across multiple regions, some located hundreds of kilometers away from the border.

The overnight assault, which involved sophisticated missile strikes, is seen as a major escalation in the conflict. Sources from Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency described the attack as a “painful blow” to Russia’s military capabilities, significantly disrupting its ability to sustain the war effort.

In response, Russia stated it successfully intercepted and shot down several missiles, including US-supplied Atacms missiles and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Russian authorities have vowed retaliation, promising to escalate their military actions in response to the attack.

The latest developments highlight the continuing intensity of the conflict, with Ukraine pushing forward with large-scale offensives despite Russia’s formidable defenses. As the war enters its second year, both sides are bracing for further confrontations, with Ukraine emphasizing its strategic focus on crippling Russia’s logistics and military infrastructure.

Ukraine Strikes Deep Inside Russia, Targets Industrial Sites and Airports

January 15, 2025 – Ukraine has launched a series of powerful strikes deep into Russia, targeting multiple industrial plants, airports, and military infrastructure, marking what Kyiv claims to be the largest attack of the war so far.

The strikes temporarily halted traffic at least nine airports in central and western Russia. The western Saratov region experienced a “massive” drone attack, with two industrial plants in Engels and Saratov damaged. Regional governor Roman Busargin confirmed the damage on Telegram, adding that schools in the area closed for the day, switching to online lessons.

Earlier in the week, Ukraine had struck an oil storage facility in Engels, sparking a prolonged firefighting operation and prompting Busargin to declare a state of emergency. The latest drone attack in Saratov and other regions follows a pattern of intense Ukrainian offensives into Russian territory.

In the Bryansk region, explosions were reported at a refinery, ammunition depots, and a chemical plant believed to produce explosives. Ukraine’s General Staff claims it hit targets up to 1,100 km (700 miles) from the border, showcasing the expanding reach of its military operations.

Russian air defences intercepted numerous missiles, including US-supplied Atacms and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but Kyiv insists that much of the damage was inflicted. Russian authorities vowed retaliation in the wake of these attacks.

In Tula, Russia, officials reported shooting down 16 drones in an overnight attack, with no casualties but damage to cars and buildings. A gas storage site near Kazan was also targeted in Tatarstan, though no casualties were reported there either.

In Ukraine, the military remains under pressure to reinforce its forces, with reports indicating that over 5,000 troops may be transferred from air forces to ground units. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that the shortage of weapons, not personnel, is the primary issue facing his army. He rejected calls to lower the conscription age, stressing the urgent need for weaponry to equip the already-deployed soldiers.

The ongoing conflict continues to draw international attention, with US officials urging Kyiv to address its troop shortages, particularly as Ukraine faces growing challenges on the frontlines. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that ending the war in Ukraine will be a priority upon his return to the White House, though the specifics of his approach remain unclear.

As tensions escalate, Ukraine’s forces continue to push back against Russia’s military advances, and the war shows no signs of slowing.

Ukraine Launches Largest Strike of War: Russian Industrial Sites, Airports Hit

January 15, 2025 – Ukraine has escalated its military offensive, launching its most massive strike of the war so far, targeting several key industrial sites, airports, and military infrastructure deep inside Russia. The assault, which took place on Tuesday, is a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Ukraine claiming that its actions inflicted substantial damage on Russian military capabilities.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed that the strikes hit a variety of critical locations, including ammunition depots, chemical plants, and industrial facilities. At least nine airports in central and western Russia temporarily halted air traffic as a result of the attack, disrupting key transportation hubs in regions hundreds of kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian sources indicated that the strikes targeted sites as far as 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) deep within Russia.

In the southwestern Saratov region, officials reported a “massive” drone attack on two industrial plants located in the cities of Engels and Saratov. Governor Roman Busargin confirmed the damage on Telegram, noting that local schools were closed, and students were taught online as a result. This attack follows a similar assault last week when Ukraine targeted an oil storage facility in Engels, prompting a state of emergency due to the extensive firefighting efforts required to control the blaze.

The Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, was also struck, with explosions reported at a refinery, ammunition depots, and a chemical plant producing gunpowder and explosives. Ukrainian intelligence sources described this as a “painful blow” to Russia’s war machine.

Russia, however, quickly responded, stating that its air defences intercepted and destroyed several missiles during the attack. Among the missiles downed were US-supplied Atacms and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Russian authorities vowed retaliation, indicating that they would escalate their military operations in response.

Additionally, the western region of Tula reported an overnight drone attack in which 16 drones were shot down by air defences. Although no casualties were reported, debris from the downed drones damaged several cars and buildings. Meanwhile, in the southwestern region of Tatarstan, a gas storage site near Kazan was targeted by a drone attack, though no casualties were reported there either.

In response to the mounting pressure on its military, Ukraine has acknowledged the challenges faced by its armed forces, particularly in terms of infantry shortages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a statement, emphasized that the country was in need of more weapons rather than a reduction in the conscription age. Despite pressure from the United States to lower the conscription age and increase the number of soldiers on the front lines, Zelensky underscored the importance of equipping those already deployed with the necessary weapons and equipment.

As the war continues to escalate, US officials have urged Ukraine to address its military deficiencies. Mike Waltz, the US National Security Advisor, remarked that Ukraine needed to be “all in for democracy” if it expected continued support from the West. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his intention to make resolving the conflict a priority when he takes office, though the specifics of his strategy remain unclear.

With the conflict showing no signs of abating, Ukraine’s military is pushing forward with these aggressive strikes as it seeks to weaken Russia’s war capabilities. The situation remains tense, with both sides bracing for further escalations in the days and weeks ahead.

Courtesy: WION

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