Russia launched 158 missiles and drones to attack Ukraine overnight

During the night of December 29, Russian forces fired 158 rockets and kamikaze drones at Ukraine. 

Ukraine's air defense successfully intercepted over 100 targets, Rubryka reports, citing Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Initially, the Russian forces attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones from the north and southeast. Drones were moving in the western direction, with 36 drone launches recorded. Ukrainian air defense successfully downed 27 attack drones.

Around 3:00 a.m., the Russians deployed strategic aviation, consisting of 18 Tu-95MS bombers.

At 6:00 a.m., they reached launch positions and launched at least 90 air-launched cruise missiles, including Kh-101, Kh-555, and Kh-55.

From the Kursk Oblast, Tu-22M3 bombers released eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles toward the northern and central regions at 5:00 a.m.

Simultaneously, Russians targeted Kharkiv with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

In total, the Russians launched at least 14 ballistic trajectory missiles — S-300/S-400/Iskander-M — from the occupied Crimea, Kursk, and Belgorod Oblasts of Russia.

At 6:30 a.m., five MiG-31K jets from the Astrakhan Oblast released five Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" missiles.

Additionally, tactical aviation Su-35 jets launched four anti-radar missiles, one Kh-31P and one Kh-59.

As reported by Zaluzhnyi, the Russians launched a total of 158 missiles of various types and strike drones overnight.

Ukrainian air defense successfully downed 27 Shahed drones and 87 cruise missiles — Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55.

President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged a response to the Russian army's attacks, which released approximately 110 missiles of various types on Ukraine during the night and morning of December 29.

"My condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and a speedy recovery to the injured. We will definitely respond to the terrorist attacks. We will fight to ensure the safety of our country, every city, and all our people. Russian terror must be defeated — and it will be," said the president.

Russia's Massed Attack on Ukraine

Russian forces are attacking Ukraine with missiles and kamikaze drones from nighttime, causing explosions in several regions: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy, and Cherkasy regions.

In four major Ukrainian cities, buildings are on fire due to the attacks.

In Kyiv, air defense systems were activated. Debris fell in the Podilskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts of the capital.

It is also reported that rockets hit Kharkiv. The city recorded 22 explosions during the mass attack. Eight people were injured, and one was killed.

More explosions were also reported in Lviv on the morning of December 29, with damage to a residential building.

Due to the Russian rocket attack, one person lost their life in Lviv. Currently, eight injured are confirmed.

In Dnipro, Russian strikes damaged a maternity hospital, with casualties and injuries. A shopping center in the city is also on fire.

Moreover, on the night of December 29, the south of Ukraine was again attacked by Shahed drones. Infrastructure in the Odesa region was hit, and in Odesa itself, an apartment building was damaged by the fragments of a downed drone. In total, the Russians launched 22 Shahed drones, with 18 of them being downed.

Odesa confirmed two deaths and many injuries due to the rocket attack by Russia.

In the morning, Russia also attacked Zaporizhzhia. The strike hit businesses, residential buildings, and a private house. Two people lost their lives, and there were more casualties. People may be trapped under the rubble of buildings.