Ukraine attacks Russian territory, launches largest airstrike in response

Ukraine tập kích lãnh thổ Nga, tung đòn đáp trả trận không kích lớn nhất - 1 — Ukrainian soldiers fight in the Donetsk region, near the Russian border (Photo: AFP).

Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said artillery shells hit a house in the Russian city of Belgorod, killing one person and injuring four, including a 10-year-old child.

He added that the "major attack" on the night of December 29 and early morning of December 30 damaged 10 houses and two vehicles.

According to Mr. Gladkov, the border town of Shebekino was also shelled on the evening of December 29, damaging a number of houses.

The Russian Defense Ministry issued a brief statement, confirming that 13 "artillery shells" had been destroyed in Belgorod.

Bryansk Region Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz announced on Telegram that Bryansk was targeted by suicide drones, some of which were shot down by Russian air defense forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry later issued a separate statement, confirming that 32 drones were intercepted and destroyed overnight in the Bryansk, Kursk, Oryol and Moscow regions.

The Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions came after the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed it had carried out large-scale air strikes on military targets in Ukraine on December 29.

Kiev officials described it as the largest airstrike since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. According to Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klimenko, at least 30 people were killed and more than 160 injured in the Russian airstrike.

Russian border regions such as Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod, as well as the capital Moscow, have been frequently targeted by drones and missiles since the conflict broke out in Ukraine.

Russian officials have accused Kiev of plotting sabotage against major Russian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants.

So far, the attacks on Russian territory have caused only minor damage, but the Kremlin describes them as "desperate acts" aimed at covering up Kiev's failures on the battlefield.

According to US officials, the attacks were intended to "raise the morale of the Ukrainian people and military" and show that Kiev "can strike back".

President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning in several regions of western Russia, giving local authorities more powers to ensure security and respond quickly to any emergencies.

However, according to observers, the possibility of the Ukrainian army attacking Russian territory by land is very unlikely. Russia has repeatedly affirmed that any attack on its territory will be strongly responded to.

Moscow believes that Ukraine's attacks on Russian territory would not be possible without the support of the US and NATO.

However, Washington has repeatedly stated that it neither encourages nor supports Ukraine in attacking Russian territory. The US believes that Ukraine has the right to decide on its own methods of combat, but emphasizes that Washington opposes attacking Russian territory.

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