Russia launches missile strike on Ukraine immediately after Western tank support decision

US and Germany Support Ukraine's Main Battle Tanks
Russia Launches Missile and Drone Attacks in One Day
Kiev Authorities "Intercepted All 15 Missiles"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] Russia is reported to have launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine. This comes just one day after the United States and Germany announced plans to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine.

On the 8th (local time), the bridge connecting Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and the suburban city of Irpin was left destroyed and abandoned. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th (local time), the day after the West, including the United States and Germany, decided to provide main battle tanks to Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities announced that Russia carried out missile and drone attacks across various parts of Ukraine.

According to major foreign media such as AP on the 26th (local time), Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, told local media, "Missiles have already begun to appear in the airspace of several regions, and more than 30 missiles are expected to be launched," adding, "The air defense system is currently operational."

The Kyiv city authorities stated that more than 15 missiles were launched toward Kyiv, and all of them were successfully intercepted.

On the morning of the same day, air raid sirens sounded nationwide across Ukraine, and it was confirmed that missiles fell in some areas including central Vinnytsia. However, no casualties were reported.

The Ukrainian Air Force also announced that 24 suicide drones flew into various parts of Ukraine overnight, and all of them were intercepted. Kyiv city authorities reported that 15 of these drones were intercepted over Kyiv. These drones are believed to have been launched by Russia from the Azov Sea area in southern Ukraine.

Earlier, the West, including the United States and Germany, had decided the previous day to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine.

The United States plans to provide 31 Abrams tanks, Germany 14 Leopard 2 tanks, and NATO member countries in total plan to send more than 80 tanks to Ukraine. Russia has condemned the tank support as an extremely dangerous decision and stated its intention to destroy them all.