Russia vows retaliation, claims to have downed eight US-made long-range missiles

Russia has pledged a retaliatory response after claiming to have intercepted eight US-made ATACMS missiles launched by Ukraine on Saturday morning.

The missiles, capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometres away, mark what Moscow has described as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, the missiles were downed along with 72 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

A statement from the ministry declared that “these actions by the Kyiv regime, which is supported by Western curators, will be met with retaliation.” The ministry also reported drone activity in multiple regions, including Leningrad and Kursk, where Ukrainian forces had launched surprise attacks in the past.

The use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine follows their approval in November by outgoing US President Joe Biden, who justified the decision as a response to Russia’s alleged expansion of the conflict through the deployment of North Korean troops.

According to CNN, Russian President Vladimir Putin has since warned of possible retaliation, including the use of the nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” ballistic missile. Last month, Putin hinted at the possibility of testing the weapon against Kyiv’s air defense systems.

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Ukraine’s drone activity has also triggered disruptions within Russian territories. Russian state media reported temporary restrictions at an airport in St. Petersburg, while Leningrad’s governor, Aleksandr Drozdenko, highlighted the unprecedented scale of UAV attacks in his region.

“The night and morning of January 4 were record-breaking in terms of the number of UAVs destroyed,” he stated on Telegram. Ukrainian security official Andrii Kovalenko confirmed targeting a Leningrad seaport, describing it as an “instrument of economic and military survival for Russia in isolation.”

In response, Russia launched its own wave of 81 drones at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine’s Air Force Command. Among them were Iranian-made Shahed drones and other imitation UAVs. Ukrainian forces reported downing 34 drones, though the attacks caused damage in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.

On the ground, the conflict continues to tilt in Russia’s favour. Russia’s Defence Ministry announced the capture of Nadiya in eastern Luhansk, while Ukrainian forces face increasing pressure in Donetsk, particularly in the key hub of Pokrovsk.

Meanwhile, Kyiv remains concerned over potential shifts in US policy under the incoming Trump administration, with Donald Trump vowing to end the conflict. A reduction in military aid could further strain Ukraine’s position as the war approaches its third year.

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