According to Ukraine's military, Russian forces continued to wage war against Ukraine over the holiday weekend, launching more than 40 missiles into Ukrainian towns on Christmas day.
As per Russian news agencies citing the defense ministry, three Russian military personnel were killed. Monday by falling debris from a Ukrainian drone that was shot down en route to attack a base in the Saratov region of Russia.
Russia Launches Missiles in Ukraine During Christmas
Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his willingness to negotiate and accused Ukraine and its Western allies of avoiding dialogue. Given the ongoing attack on Ukraine, the United States has previously dismissed Russia's stance as posturing.
However, a spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded on Twitter that Putin must recognize that it is Russia that has not been willing to negotiate.
Moscow invaded its eastern European neighbor on February 24, and attacks on Ukraine's power stations have left millions without power. Russia will attempt to make the final days of 2022 dark and difficult, according to Zelensky, Fox News reported.
According to reports from a Russian commander, Russia is increasing its use of lethal hypersonic cruise missiles after months of retreating from Ukrainian counteroffensives. Due to their speed, proximity to the ground, and the fact that their flight path can be altered after launch, air-launched hypersonic bombs are significantly more difficult to stop.
The missiles, which are powered by scramjet engines and travel at approximately five times the speed of sound, will likely be used to continue Russia's brutal assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
China, the United States, and Russia are engaged in an arms race to develop and deploy these weapons, while Iran, North Korea, and Japan are engaged in smaller-scale programs. Interfax, a state-run Russian news agency, cited Russian air commander Sergei Kobylash as stating that the hypersonic missiles were now being supplied to the air forces for combat readiness, according to Express.
Putin To Develop Nuclear Forces
Putin admitted there were 'problems' with his mobilization and acknowledged vague 'criticism' of his military strategy in a speech to defense chiefs in Moscow. This was a rare and frank admission by Putin regarding his botched invasion.
To reverse his fortunes, however, the president will spend whatever it takes to improve the combat readiness of our nuclear triad and the military. Based on Russia's experiences in Ukraine, special emphasis will be placed on the development of its nuclear forces, which he described as "the primary guarantee of Russia's sovereignty."
As Kremlin leaders prepared for a new phase in the ten-month-old conflict, defense minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to form new military units in western Russia.
Putin claimed that the nuclear-capable, cutting-edge Zircon missiles that travel at nearly 7,000 mph have "no equal in the world," even though his forces have suffered humiliation after humiliation thus far in his war. Putin also acknowledged that his September order to mobilize 300,000 reservists did not go as planned, as per Daily Mail.
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