In a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine, it was noted that the Russian attack resulted in numerous casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, a maternity hospital, a shopping center, a service station, and the subway system.
On December 29, Russian forces launched their most extensive air attack on Ukraine to date, deploying a total of 158 air targets, most of which were successfully intercepted and destroyed.
The attack commenced with "Shahed" UAVs striking from the north and south-east, later moving westward, involving a total of 36 strike UAVs. Around 3 a.m., Russia employed Tu-95MS strategic bombers, launching at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles. Additionally, from the Kursk region, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers fired eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles targeting the northern and central regions.
Concurrently, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. The offensive included at least 14 ballistic missiles - S-300/S-400/Iskander-M - launched from Crimea, Kursk, and the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.
At 6:30 a.m., the deployment of five MiG-31K fighters was observed, launching five Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles from the Astrakhan region. Additionally, Su-35 tactical aircraft utilized 4 Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59 missile.
In total, according to preliminary reports, the enemy deployed 158 air attack methods against Ukraine during this assault, including various types of missiles and attack UAVs. The Air Force of Ukraine, in coordination with units of the Defense Forces, successfully destroyed 114 air targets, comprising 27 attack UAVs and 87 cruise missiles.
