Ukraine uses U.S.-made ATACMS missiles inside Russia for the first time
Ukraine fired at least six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against an arsenal in the Bryansk region on Tuesday, the first use of the weapons to hit a target inside Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
A Ukrainian official confirmed the use of the missiles, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The attack comes two days after it was reported that the Biden administration had lifted restrictions on the use of the missiles against targets inside Russia, long a Ukrainian request.
The Russian statement said six missiles were fired but that five were shot down and one was damaged by air defense.
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Ukraine fired at least six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against an arsenal in the Bryansk region on Tuesday, the first use of the weapons to hit a target inside Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
A Ukrainian official confirmed the use of the missiles, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The attack comes two days after it was reported that the Biden administration had lifted restrictions on the use of the missiles against targets inside Russia, long a Ukrainian request.
The Russian statement said six missiles were fired but that five were shot down and one was damaged by air defense.
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Exclusive: Biden approves antipersonnel mines for Ukraine, undoing his own policy
President Joe Biden has authorized the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, two U.S. officials said, a step that will bolster Kyiv’s defenses against advancing Russian troops but has drawn criticism from arms control groups.
The move comes in the wake of the White House’s recent authorization allowing Ukraine to use a powerful long-range missile system to strike inside Russia — part of a sweep of urgent actions the lame-duck Biden administration is taking to help Kyiv’s faltering war effort.
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President Joe Biden has authorized the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine, two U.S. officials said, a step that will bolster Kyiv’s defenses against advancing Russian troops but has drawn criticism from arms control groups.
The move comes in the wake of the White House’s recent authorization allowing Ukraine to use a powerful long-range missile system to strike inside Russia — part of a sweep of urgent actions the lame-duck Biden administration is taking to help Kyiv’s faltering war effort.
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U.S. Embassy in Kyiv closes over attack fears after Ukraine strikes Russia
American officials warned Wednesday of a “potential significant air attack” on Kyiv and said the U.S. Embassy in the capital would be closed “out of an abundance of caution” after Ukrainian forces struck an arms depot inside Russia with U.S.-supplied weapons systems.
“Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” a statement on the embassy website said. “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
The Italian, Greek and Spanish embassies in Kyiv would also be closed temporarily, statements on their websites and media reports said. The Italian Embassy warned of a “possible high-intensity airstrike,” citing the U.S. Embassy statement.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, however, noted over the past 1,000 days of war, the threat of airstrikes “has, unfortunately, been a daily reality.”
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American officials warned Wednesday of a “potential significant air attack” on Kyiv and said the U.S. Embassy in the capital would be closed “out of an abundance of caution” after Ukrainian forces struck an arms depot inside Russia with U.S.-supplied weapons systems.
“Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” a statement on the embassy website said. “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
The Italian, Greek and Spanish embassies in Kyiv would also be closed temporarily, statements on their websites and media reports said. The Italian Embassy warned of a “possible high-intensity airstrike,” citing the U.S. Embassy statement.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, however, noted over the past 1,000 days of war, the threat of airstrikes “has, unfortunately, been a daily reality.”
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Russia fires ICBM at Ukrainian city in latest missile escalation, Kyiv says
Russian forces launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Ukraine’s air force said Thursday — an attack that, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic intensification in the missile war between the two nations.
The strike comes two days after Ukrainian forces fired U.S.-made ATACMS into Russia for the first time, following a lifting of restrictions on their use inside Russia by the Biden administration. In addition, Russia reported that British-made Storm Shadow missiles were fired into its territory Wednesday.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said in its daily report Thursday that its air defense systems “shot down two U.K.-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles,” but it did not provide any further details.
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Russian forces launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Ukraine’s air force said Thursday — an attack that, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic intensification in the missile war between the two nations.
The strike comes two days after Ukrainian forces fired U.S.-made ATACMS into Russia for the first time, following a lifting of restrictions on their use inside Russia by the Biden administration. In addition, Russia reported that British-made Storm Shadow missiles were fired into its territory Wednesday.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said in its daily report Thursday that its air defense systems “shot down two U.K.-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles,” but it did not provide any further details.
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Russia seeks to intimidate Ukraine with new missile, officials say
By launching a new nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday, Russia was threatening Kyiv and its Western allies with the aim of stopping Ukrainian strikes with Western-supplied weapons on Russian territory — or else.
The attack on the eastern city of Dnipro has spurred fears in the West over a major escalation in the ongoing war and prompted Ukraine to request new air defense capabilities from Washington to help intercept this type of missile.
But analysts and officials in Ukraine and the West, speaking Friday, said that while the attack had been accompanied by a major increase in threatening statements, it was ultimately just more Kremlin bravado.
Moscow aimed to “intimidate those who support Ukraine,” NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah said in an email. “Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO Allies from supporting Ukraine.”
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By launching a new nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday, Russia was threatening Kyiv and its Western allies with the aim of stopping Ukrainian strikes with Western-supplied weapons on Russian territory — or else.
The attack on the eastern city of Dnipro has spurred fears in the West over a major escalation in the ongoing war and prompted Ukraine to request new air defense capabilities from Washington to help intercept this type of missile.
But analysts and officials in Ukraine and the West, speaking Friday, said that while the attack had been accompanied by a major increase in threatening statements, it was ultimately just more Kremlin bravado.
Moscow aimed to “intimidate those who support Ukraine,” NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah said in an email. “Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO Allies from supporting Ukraine.”
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Russia rains missiles on Ukraine after Trump names new envoy to conflict
Hours after President-elect Donald Trump selected a new special envoy to tackle a top campaign promise of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia fired a new barrage of missiles at Ukraine’s power grid, plunging parts of the country back into darkness.
Moscow’s missile attack Thursday morning — which consisted of 199 missiles and drones, according to Ukraine’s military — targeted the energy infrastructure in western Ukraine, causing power outages for at least 1 million people, local officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the bombardment was in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with U.S.-delivered missiles. Speaking Thursday at a meeting of a Moscow-led security alliance in Kazakhstan, Putin warned that Russian strikes on Ukraine could intensify and include “decision-making centers” in the capital.
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Hours after President-elect Donald Trump selected a new special envoy to tackle a top campaign promise of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia fired a new barrage of missiles at Ukraine’s power grid, plunging parts of the country back into darkness.
Moscow’s missile attack Thursday morning — which consisted of 199 missiles and drones, according to Ukraine’s military — targeted the energy infrastructure in western Ukraine, causing power outages for at least 1 million people, local officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the bombardment was in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with U.S.-delivered missiles. Speaking Thursday at a meeting of a Moscow-led security alliance in Kazakhstan, Putin warned that Russian strikes on Ukraine could intensify and include “decision-making centers” in the capital.
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Biden surges arms to Ukraine, fearing Trump will halt U.S. aid
The Biden administration is engaged in an 11th-hour scramble to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars in additional weaponry, a massive effort that is generating concerns internally about its potential to erode U.S. stockpiles and sap resources from other flash points, officials said.
The lame-duck initiative was spurred in part by Russia’s battlefield momentum and a fear among Ukraine’s fiercest advocates that once President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20, there will be an abrupt shift in U.S. policy toward the war.
Yet some in the administration have taken the view that no matter what Washington does, Kyiv’s military will remain outmatched without far more soldiers to sustain its fight. And even as they accelerate arms shipments, there is growing frustration with Ukraine’s leaders, who have resisted U.S. calls to lower the country’s draft age from 25 to 18.
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The Biden administration is engaged in an 11th-hour scramble to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars in additional weaponry, a massive effort that is generating concerns internally about its potential to erode U.S. stockpiles and sap resources from other flash points, officials said.
The lame-duck initiative was spurred in part by Russia’s battlefield momentum and a fear among Ukraine’s fiercest advocates that once President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20, there will be an abrupt shift in U.S. policy toward the war.
Yet some in the administration have taken the view that no matter what Washington does, Kyiv’s military will remain outmatched without far more soldiers to sustain its fight. And even as they accelerate arms shipments, there is growing frustration with Ukraine’s leaders, who have resisted U.S. calls to lower the country’s draft age from 25 to 18.
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Amid U.S. pressure, Ukraine starts thinking about drafting 18-year-olds
For nearly three years, Ukraine has resisted drafting men as young as 18, as is done by so many other wartime armies — a choice that has baffled some of Kyiv’s Western allies but is a deeply sensitive issue at home.
As Russia has continued gaining ground on the battlefield with high-attrition-style combat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing increased pressure to deploy more younger people to the front lines. With future aid from Washington uncertain, U.S. officials have warned that Ukraine’s personnel shortage is perhaps more critical right now than its arms deficit.
“Even with the money, even with the munitions, there have to be people on the front lines to deal with the Russian aggression,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Brussels last week.
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For nearly three years, Ukraine has resisted drafting men as young as 18, as is done by so many other wartime armies — a choice that has baffled some of Kyiv’s Western allies but is a deeply sensitive issue at home.
As Russia has continued gaining ground on the battlefield with high-attrition-style combat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing increased pressure to deploy more younger people to the front lines. With future aid from Washington uncertain, U.S. officials have warned that Ukraine’s personnel shortage is perhaps more critical right now than its arms deficit.
“Even with the money, even with the munitions, there have to be people on the front lines to deal with the Russian aggression,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Brussels last week.
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Russia’s elite sound the alarm on the economy amid high interest rates
When Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed an annual big-business gathering this month, he could not help but crow about how Western sanctions against the economy had failed.
“The task was to deal Russia a strategic blow … to weaken industry, finance and services in our country,” Putin said at the VTB investment conference, pointing out that economic growth in Russia would reach 4 percent this year, far outstripping rates in Europe. “It is clear that these plans have collapsed.”
But despite the polite applause that greeted the Russian president, tension has been breaking out into the open among the Russian elite over the mounting cost of sanctions on the economy. Executives from major businesses have been warning in growing numbers that central bank interest rate hikes to combat rampant inflation — caused by sanctions and Putin’s wartime spending spree — could bring the economy to a halt next year.
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When Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed an annual big-business gathering this month, he could not help but crow about how Western sanctions against the economy had failed.
“The task was to deal Russia a strategic blow … to weaken industry, finance and services in our country,” Putin said at the VTB investment conference, pointing out that economic growth in Russia would reach 4 percent this year, far outstripping rates in Europe. “It is clear that these plans have collapsed.”
But despite the polite applause that greeted the Russian president, tension has been breaking out into the open among the Russian elite over the mounting cost of sanctions on the economy. Executives from major businesses have been warning in growing numbers that central bank interest rate hikes to combat rampant inflation — caused by sanctions and Putin’s wartime spending spree — could bring the economy to a halt next year.
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Ukraine races to develop its own long-range weapons to counter Russia
KYIV — As Ukrainian officials brace for what could be severe cutbacks in Western military aid next year, they are scrambling to ramp up their own arms production, especially for weapons systems that can strike deep into Russian territory to replace those supplied by Western governments.
At the heart of the Ukrainian domestic defense production is the country’s program for long-range attack drones, which regularly strike targets hundreds of miles from the Russian-Ukrainian border to disrupt Moscow’s war effort, Ukrainian officials said.
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KYIV — As Ukrainian officials brace for what could be severe cutbacks in Western military aid next year, they are scrambling to ramp up their own arms production, especially for weapons systems that can strike deep into Russian territory to replace those supplied by Western governments.
At the heart of the Ukrainian domestic defense production is the country’s program for long-range attack drones, which regularly strike targets hundreds of miles from the Russian-Ukrainian border to disrupt Moscow’s war effort, Ukrainian officials said.
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Russia launches large attack on Ukraine’s energy systems, Zelensky says
KYIV — Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack Friday on Ukraine involving dozens of cruise missiles and nearly 200 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, in what Moscow described as a direct response to Kyiv’s recent use of American missiles against targets inside Russia.
The attack was “one of the largest strikes targeting our energy infrastructure” to date, Zelensky said.
Russia launched at least 93 missiles, he added, including at least one North Korean weapon. Ukraine was able to down 81 of them, 11 of which were intercepted with F-16 jets, Zelensky said. But some struck targets, expanding the already widespread power blackouts caused by prior Russian strikes.
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KYIV — Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack Friday on Ukraine involving dozens of cruise missiles and nearly 200 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, in what Moscow described as a direct response to Kyiv’s recent use of American missiles against targets inside Russia.
The attack was “one of the largest strikes targeting our energy infrastructure” to date, Zelensky said.
Russia launched at least 93 missiles, he added, including at least one North Korean weapon. Ukraine was able to down 81 of them, 11 of which were intercepted with F-16 jets, Zelensky said. But some struck targets, expanding the already widespread power blackouts caused by prior Russian strikes.
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North Korean troops suffer heavy casualties in Russia, Ukraine says
North Korean troops, deployed to bolster Russian forces in their war on Ukraine, have suffered “significant losses” in Russia’s Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities said Monday.
As many as 30 have been “killed or wounded,” Ukrainian military intelligence said, among the heaviest losses for North Korean forces yet reported by Ukraine.
North Korea has joined Russia as Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine grinds toward a fourth year. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov last month reported the first clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian forces, but he did not detail casualties. U.S. officials say Russia has deployed some 8,000 North Koreans in the Kursk region, the border area where Ukrainian forces seized Russian territory in a surprise attack over the summer.
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North Korean troops, deployed to bolster Russian forces in their war on Ukraine, have suffered “significant losses” in Russia’s Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities said Monday.
As many as 30 have been “killed or wounded,” Ukrainian military intelligence said, among the heaviest losses for North Korean forces yet reported by Ukraine.
North Korea has joined Russia as Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine grinds toward a fourth year. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov last month reported the first clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian forces, but he did not detail casualties. U.S. officials say Russia has deployed some 8,000 North Koreans in the Kursk region, the border area where Ukrainian forces seized Russian territory in a surprise attack over the summer.
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Kyiv behind killing of Russian general in Moscow, Ukrainian official says
The head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces was killed in Moscow on Tuesday morning in a “special operation” by Ukraine’s domestic security service, according to a Ukrainian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical defense forces, is the highest-ranking Russian military official to be killed outside of combat since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said Tuesday that Kirillov, 54, was killed alongside his assistant when an explosive device on a parked scooter detonated near the entrance of a residential building in the capital. Investigators did not specify who they believed was responsible but said a criminal investigation had been launched into the deaths of two military officials.
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The head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces was killed in Moscow on Tuesday morning in a “special operation” by Ukraine’s domestic security service, according to a Ukrainian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical defense forces, is the highest-ranking Russian military official to be killed outside of combat since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said Tuesday that Kirillov, 54, was killed alongside his assistant when an explosive device on a parked scooter detonated near the entrance of a residential building in the capital. Investigators did not specify who they believed was responsible but said a criminal investigation had been launched into the deaths of two military officials.
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European allies consider deploying troops to Ukraine after the war
BRUSSELS — Kyiv’s European allies are seriously weighing the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine in the event of a deal with Russia to stop the war, as they lay the groundwork for negotiations and adjust to Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The prospect of boots on the ground was discussed when NATO chief Mark Rutte hosted European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels on Wednesday night, and it was floated to President-elect Trump when he met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron this month in Paris.
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BRUSSELS — Kyiv’s European allies are seriously weighing the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine in the event of a deal with Russia to stop the war, as they lay the groundwork for negotiations and adjust to Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The prospect of boots on the ground was discussed when NATO chief Mark Rutte hosted European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels on Wednesday night, and it was floated to President-elect Trump when he met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron this month in Paris.
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As Ukraine marks Christmas, exhausted soldiers wonder if Trump can end the war
DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, Ukraine — Christmas on Ukraine’s front line started, fittingly, in an old barn filled with hay. Soldiers filed in as Lt. Mykola Bagirov, the brigade’s chaplain, began chanting prayers in a setting straight out of a Nativity scene — never mind the M113 armored personnel carriers parked beside him.
Bagirov spent the rest of the day dressed in a colorful jacket and carrying a painted spinning star while merrily singing traditional Ukrainian carols and banging a tambourine against his thigh.
His audience, though thankful for the attempt at holiday cheer, was noticeably less enthused.
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DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, Ukraine — Christmas on Ukraine’s front line started, fittingly, in an old barn filled with hay. Soldiers filed in as Lt. Mykola Bagirov, the brigade’s chaplain, began chanting prayers in a setting straight out of a Nativity scene — never mind the M113 armored personnel carriers parked beside him.
Bagirov spent the rest of the day dressed in a colorful jacket and carrying a painted spinning star while merrily singing traditional Ukrainian carols and banging a tambourine against his thigh.
His audience, though thankful for the attempt at holiday cheer, was noticeably less enthused.
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Russia’s gas supply to Europe halted after Ukraine transit deal expires
The flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe was suspended Wednesday after Ukraine said it would not renew a deal allowing Russian gas to transit its territory, ending an energy supply route that dates back some 60 years.
Despite the ongoing Russian invasion, which has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and laid waste to swaths of the country since 2022, Ukraine had continued to allow Russian oil and gas to cross its territory to serve its European neighbors — generating revenue for Kyiv and Moscow and illustrating how hard it is for the bitter enemies to cut ties.
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The flow of natural gas from Russia to Europe was suspended Wednesday after Ukraine said it would not renew a deal allowing Russian gas to transit its territory, ending an energy supply route that dates back some 60 years.
Despite the ongoing Russian invasion, which has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and laid waste to swaths of the country since 2022, Ukraine had continued to allow Russian oil and gas to cross its territory to serve its European neighbors — generating revenue for Kyiv and Moscow and illustrating how hard it is for the bitter enemies to cut ties.
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Russian strike on southeastern Ukrainian city kills at least 13
KYIV — A Russian bomb strike killed at least 13 people Wednesday in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, marking the deadliest single attack on a Ukrainian city in months.
Local officials said 18 others, including a 13-year-old girl, were injured in the bombing that hit a residential building and an industrial facility. Authorities never disclose whether military facilities are targeted in attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on social media that “there is nothing more cruel than bombing a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer.”
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KYIV — A Russian bomb strike killed at least 13 people Wednesday in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, marking the deadliest single attack on a Ukrainian city in months.
Local officials said 18 others, including a 13-year-old girl, were injured in the bombing that hit a residential building and an industrial facility. Authorities never disclose whether military facilities are targeted in attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on social media that “there is nothing more cruel than bombing a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer.”
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Ukraine’s future unclear as Pentagon chief holds his final support meeting
On Thursday, President Joe Biden’s Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin, chaired his final meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an assemblage of more than 30 nations providing military aid to Ukraine. It has been a core part of Austin’s record as defense chief during a tumultuous period including Biden’s calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the renewal of major conflict in Europe and the Middle East.
During that time, allied countries have pledged more than $126 billion in military aid, facilitating a surge of tanks, mortars and other arms that has enabled Ukraine’s survival after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion. But as Biden prepares to hand off to President-elect Donald Trump, the course ahead is shrouded in uncertainty as Kyiv struggles to sustain adequate fighters and firepower and steadily loses ground to Russia’s far larger military.
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On Thursday, President Joe Biden’s Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin, chaired his final meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an assemblage of more than 30 nations providing military aid to Ukraine. It has been a core part of Austin’s record as defense chief during a tumultuous period including Biden’s calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the renewal of major conflict in Europe and the Middle East.
During that time, allied countries have pledged more than $126 billion in military aid, facilitating a surge of tanks, mortars and other arms that has enabled Ukraine’s survival after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion. But as Biden prepares to hand off to President-elect Donald Trump, the course ahead is shrouded in uncertainty as Kyiv struggles to sustain adequate fighters and firepower and steadily loses ground to Russia’s far larger military.
Read the full story here.