Russia Unleashes Over 40 Missiles on Ukraine

Russia launched over 40 missiles and 70 drones against Ukraine on January 15.
Critical energy infrastructure was targeted, causing emergency blackouts across regions.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted at least 30 missiles, averting further devastation.

In the early hours of January 15, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine, deploying Kh-101, Kh-22, and Kalibr cruise missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.

This escalation follows a Russian threat to retaliate after Ukraine’s strike on military and industrial sites within Russia a day earlier.

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The attack triggered a nationwide aerial alert as Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from Russia’s Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast.

Ballistic missiles were also reportedly launched from Belgorod Oblast.

Explosions rocked regions including Kharkiv, Khmelnytsky Oblast, and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi confirmed strikes on energy infrastructure in Lviv Oblast, with officials reporting critical infrastructure hits in two districts but no casualties.

Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Military Administration, stated that attacks targeted critical infrastructure in the oblast, also without casualties.

Details on the extent of the damage remain unclear.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the strikes, said the attacks aimed to cripple the country’s energy sector during the harsh winter months.

“More than 40 missiles were involved in this strike, including ballistic missiles, of which at least 30 were intercepted. Overnight, over 70 Russian attack drones were launched,” he noted on Telegram.

Zelensky urged international partners to expedite military aid to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems, emphasizing the unfulfilled commitments made at NATO’s Washington summit and the Ramstein format.

Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the missile threat near its borders.