It began shortly after Midnight eastern US time: A large and violent attack by Russian forces against numerous targets inside Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry made clear "This is retaliation for using U.S.-supplied ATACMS against Taganrog on Dec. 11."
93 missiles and more than 200 drones showered several Ukrainian regions with warheads, plunging them in suffocating blackouts.
Word of the pending attack came around 10:00 PM eastern us time last night when as many as 8 Russian Tu-95s long-range bombers took to the air, all of them conducted a launch maneuver.
Some such attack bombers took off from as far away as Murmansk Russia, as shown on the map below:
There were also concerns of "Iskander" missiles being launched from Taganrog.
Reports also confirmed "Kalibr" Missile carriers departing from Novorossiysk.
According to accounts on social media, explosions were heard in Odessa, Ivano-Frankovsk and other regions. Strikes were reported in the town of Burtysh in Ivano-Frankovsk Region, where a key power plant is located.
Ukrainian media have reported emergency power outages in Kiev, Odessa, and elsewhere. In Ternopol Region, some 50% of residents are currently without electricity, according to local authorities.
Meanwhile, Washington throws Kiev another desperate lifeline, announcing new $500 million military aid package, which includes, missiles, ammo, and small arms.
