Kyiv: Ukrainian officials said Thursday that Russia has launched a wave of missile and self-exploding drone attacks on the country. Air raid sirens wailed nationwide, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or of the missiles and drones striking targets.
The attacks came after Germany and the United States announced Wednesday that they will send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine, offering what one expert called an “armored punching force” to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as the Russian invasion enters its 12th month.
Meanwhile, Kyiv residents took refuge in Kyiv subway which is used as a bomb shelter during air raid alerts. Anton Gerashchenko, Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, said, "Kyiv residents in Kyiv subway - it is used as a bomb shelter during air raid alerts," sharing a couple of pictures from the subway.
Three russian missiles were preliminarily shot down in the south, air defense is operating in Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions. Russia launched 15 missiles to Kyiv. All were shot down. God bless air defense, Luliia Mendel, Former Spokesperson to President Zelensky, wrote in separate tweets.
In our small family of 2 ppl and 2 cats I’m the one responsible for following the information about the attacks. Today instead of “Good morning” I said to my husband: “Russia launched cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea. The alert should be soon.” Morning from Ukraine, she rued in another tweet.
US, Germany to send advanced tanks to aid Ukraine war effort
Germany and the United States announced Wednesday that they will send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine, offering what one expert called an “armored punching force” to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as the Russian invasion enters its 12th month.
The announcement marked the first stage of a coordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of the heavy weapons, which Ukrainian military commanders said would enable counter-offensives, reduce casualties and help restore dwindling ammunition supplies.
American President Joe Biden said the U.S. will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain. The U.S. decision followed Germany's agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. Germany had refused to send the Leopards unless the U.S. put its Abrams on the table, not wanting to incur Russia’s wrath without the U.S. making a similar commitment.
“This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German lawmakers. “It was right, and it is important that we didn’t let ourselves be driven" into the decision. Biden said European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions, or a total of 62 tanks. “To liberate their land, they need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term,” Biden said.
Several European countries have equipped their armies with Leopard 2 tanks, and Germany's announcement means they can give some of their stocks to Ukraine. Speaking in a video address late Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the creation of what he described as a “tank coalition.”
"We must form a tank fist, a fist of freedom whose hits will not let tyranny stand up again,” Zelenskyy said. He said Ukraine will push for more weapons, including long-range missiles and aircraft. “The terrorist state must lose. The right to life must be protected. And it will be so,” Zelenskyy said. (with AP inputs)
