Russia has likely shifted to a "more extensive campaign" targeting Ukraine's energy, according to British intelligence.
British intelligence noted that on December 8, for the first time since September 2023, Russian forces "launched a wave of powerful strikes on Kyiv and central Ukraine using heavy bombers."
As stated by the UK Ministry of Defence, these aircraft, likely Tu-95s, launched no fewer than 16 air-launched cruise missiles from their typical operating area over the Caspian Sea. These were X-101 missiles (known as AS-23a KODIAK in NATO countries).
"This was probably the start of a more concerted campaign by Russia aimed at degrading Ukraine’s energy infrastructure," the summary stated.
However, the intelligence reports that "most of these missiles were successfully intercepted by the Ukrainian air defense." Despite the "losses due to the Russian attack, casualties are minimal," concluded the UK Ministry of Defence.
Russian military regularly attacks Ukrainian regions with various types of weapons, including strike UAVs, missiles, and MLRS. Moscow, despite evidence and testimonies, denies shelling civilian areas in Ukraine.
