As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its 460th day, missile attacks continue to wreak havoc in the region. In the latest attack, one person was killed in Kyiv and two were injured in a drone strike on Moscow. The conflict has led to Ukraine receiving arms from the West and Russia increasing its control over domestic opinion.
The Guardian reports that a missile attack on Kyiv left one person hospitalized. In response, Ukraine claims to have shot down 37 missiles and 29 drones overnight. Meanwhile, The Telegraph reveals that Russia fired 11 missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region in an unusual daytime attack on the capital.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for almost a year and a half. RFE/RL’s Ukraine Live Briefing provides up-to-date news on the conflict and its impact on civilians, Western military aid, and global reaction.
As the conflict drags on, fires are raging across Russian-held territory since the UK sent Storm Shadow missiles. According to The Telegraph, more than 900 war-related blazes have occurred in Kremlin-held territory in Ukraine in the last two weeks.
The conflict has also led some experts to question Russia’s military capabilities. C4ISRNet reports that the Ukrainian experience with Kinzhal may be a wake-up call for Russia. The article argues that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has a strong chance of succeeding due to superior leadership, equipment upgrades, and strong morale.
However, the conflict is far from over. Former Russian commander Igor Girkin has warned that the Wagner army, Russia’s private military group, could overthrow Vladimir Putin. In the meantime, Dmitry Medvedev claims that there is no room for talks while Volodymyr Zelensky is still in power.
The conflict has also spilled over into the cyber realm. London City Airport’s website was hacked by a pro-Russian group, while a delegation of more than 30 US cyber officials will visit Tallinn to participate in a series of cyber conferences.
As tensions escalate, Ukraine wants long-range missiles to regain Crimea and end the war. However, The Atlantic argues that Washington won’t supply them due to concerns about escalating the conflict.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has continued to receive support from the West. The Guardian reports that Russsian and Belarus have signed a deal formalizing the deployment of Moscow’s tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its ally. However, control of the weapons remains in the Kremlin.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, the conflict shows no signs of ending. Putin’s mini-NATO is falling apart, while new hypersonic missiles pose a tough challenge to defend against. In this climate, the conflict hinges on one man’s thoughts and feelings – and the outcome remains uncertain.