Russia’s winter onslaught tests Ukraine’s firepower 

Russia is resuming its winter strategy of pummeling Ukraine into submission with missiles and drones, but with resources depleted and further Western aid up in the air, Kiev is hoping to find its way this year. find themselves in a much more difficult position.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Russia launched around 500 missiles and drones between December 29 and January 2. While Ukraine still manages to stop most of its missiles and drones, Russia is gradually breaking through its strained air defenses.

And without additional Western aid, Ukraine may only have air defense firepower for another two months, Ukrainian officials have warned.

Matt Das, executive vice president of the Center for International Policy, said Ukraine will eventually have to “start rationing what remains”, putting the protection of some cities at risk. He said he was deaf.

“Then they're going to have to make some pretty tough choices defensively,” he said. “This has always been Russia's strategy to wear down Ukraine and undermine Western commitment to supporting Ukraine.”

Ukraine faces major challenges this winter, but President Zelenskiy said Wednesday that Ukraine will not back down.

“I'll definitely defeat you.” said at the ceremony. “We will definitely defend our country, despite all Russian missile attacks, and despite the enemy's intentions.”

Ukraine has been bearing the brunt of Russian attacks, including the hypersonic Kinzhal missile, due to its valuable air defense systems, including the U.S. Patriot system.

But Russia's efforts to deplete Ukraine's dwindling inventories with large-scale strikes are also being strengthened by a significant increase in domestic missile production.

Ukrainian officials said the Dec. 29 bombing, killing at least 30 people and injuring hundreds from Kiev to the southern city of Odessa, was Russia's largest airstrike on Ukraine since the start of the war. Ta.

Of the 158 missiles and drones launched by Russia that day, Ukraine shot down 114.

During Tuesday's offensive, Ukraine intercepted 72 of 99 targets. Five people were killed and dozens injured in Kiev and the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

The three Baltic states close to Ukraine immediately appealed for the need to strengthen their air defense systems following this attack.

“Ukraine's air defense is working well, but Ukraine needs more support,” Latvian President Edgars Rinkevičis wrote on Platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “New Year's celebrations are over. Western countries must get serious and act now.”

Ukrainian officials this week held talks with the US and UK about strengthening air defenses, and Kiev called an emergency meeting We will discuss this issue with NATO, the Western security alliance.

NATO relies heavily on U.S. support to meet its defense needs, including support for Ukraine.but The alliance announced Wednesday It could help the allies ramp up production to procure 1,000 Patriot missiles, freeing up stockpiles in Kiev.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also launched a massive bombing campaign against Ukraine towards last winter, targeting energy infrastructure in an attempt to bring the Ukrainian people to their knees, but ultimately failed.

The UK Ministry of Defense announced that this year's attacks were more broadly focused, targeting military infrastructure more directly and crippled Ukraine. with intelligence update. British analysts added that Russia committed a significant portion of its missile fleet to attack Ukraine from December 29 to January 2.

Although initially faced with Western sanctions, Russia learned how to work around them, revitalizing its wartime economy and increasing missile production. It now produces up to 100 long-range missiles a month.

And the Russian government may be getting smarter by targeting Ukraine with airstrikes.

The Institute for War Studies isRecent significant increase” On the night of December 29 and December 31, Russian Shahed drones breached Ukrainian air defenses, but this may have been due to more strategic fire or covert operations.

Matthew Schmidt, an associate professor of national security and political science at the University of New Haven, said Russia is spending “millions of dollars to inflict a single Ukrainian casualty” as part of its strategy to swarm Ukraine. he warned.

“That's why Russia conducted attacks that attempted to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses and suck out its missiles,'' Schmidt said, adding, “Russia tried to fire the ammunition it had in Ukraine and deplete its ammunition.'' said.

Across the front, fighting has slowed, with neither side making any decisive advances, and no major developments are expected in the coming weeks. Russia is attacking the town of Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region, but instead of gradually gaining gains, Russia is suffering heavy losses.

But by reducing Ukraine's air defense capabilities, Putin will be poised for a more powerful attack, the newspaper said. Royal United Services Society.

Brock Biermann, a visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, also said Putin would take advantage of delays in further Western aid for Ukraine.

“I wouldn't be surprised if President Putin gains some tactical advantage in the coming months because of what's going on,” he said. “The longer it takes for aid to pass through Congress, the more it will factor into his calculations.”

Ukraine's air defense ammunition and artillery shells are already running low. Ukraine has begun domestic production of critical defense weapons, but it could take years to fully ramp up production.

In the United States, Congress remains embroiled in negotiations over the U.S.-Mexico border, which will have implications for future support for Ukraine. The European Union has also not moved on the plan after Hungary blocked the $50 billion package.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a pre-holiday briefing that Congress needs to act to help Ukraine.

“Look at the situation in Ukraine,” he said. “We will of course continue to support them. But it is essential that we have the funding they need to secure the most urgent battlefield capabilities they need.”

Peter Dickinson, editor of the Atlantic Council's Ukraine Alert blog, warned of “the very real danger that Ukraine could deplete its existing stock of air defense munitions in the coming weeks.”

“A collapse of Ukraine's air defenses would have catastrophic consequences,” Dickinson said. written in analysispredicting that if a collapse were to occur, thousands of Ukrainians would be killed in a single wave of Russian attacks.

He added: “As long as Western leaders insist on limiting Ukraine's ability to strike back against Russia, Ukrainian commanders will be forced to fight air battles with shields and not swords.” added.

in the new year Interview with The Economist magazineZelenskiy said Western partners should support Ukraine or withdraw from the conflict.

“If you don't have the power, get out or step aside,” he added. “We will not retreat.”