In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine during the night of August 23-24, 2024. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces deployed X-22 missiles from the Black Sea, targeting multiple regions including Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kirovohrad, and Dnipropetrovsk. The attack reportedly involved four Tu-22M3 and Su-57 aircraft, prompting air raid sirens across several Ukrainian regions.Concurrently, Ukrainian forces conducted drone attacks on Russian territory, particularly in the Voronezh and Kursk regions. In the Voronezh region, drone strikes reportedly caused fires and explosions at ammunition depots. Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed that air defense systems intercepted several drones, but falling debris led to fires and subsequent detonations of explosive objects. The attacks on Russian soil mark a significant development in Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.Both sides reported inflicting substantial losses on enemy forces. Russian military sources claimed to have destroyed up to 140 Ukrainian military personnel, various equipment including a self-propelled howitzer Krab, and multiple unmanned aerial vehicles in the eastern regions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian sources reported successful strikes on Russian positions and equipment, including attacks on ammunition depots.The intensification of attacks on both sides suggests a potential new phase in the conflict, with each party demonstrating enhanced offensive capabilities. The use of advanced weaponry, such as Russia’s Tu-22M3 and Su-57 aircraft, and Ukraine’s increased drone warfare tactics, indicates an escalation in the technological aspects of the war. As the conflict continues to evolve, concerns grow over the potential for further escalation and the impact on civilian populations in the affected regions.
Key points
- Russia launched a major missile attack on multiple Ukrainian regions using X-22 missiles and advanced aircraft.
- Ukrainian forces conducted drone attacks on Russian territory, causing explosions at ammunition depots in the Voronezh region.
- Both sides reported inflicting significant losses on enemy personnel and equipment, indicating an escalation in the conflict.
Contradictions👾While Russian sources claim significant destruction of Ukrainian forces and equipment, Ukrainian sources report successful strikes on Russian positions.
The exact extent of damage and losses on both sides cannot be independently verified.
