Poland: The West must supply Ukraine with long-range weapons

This was stated by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski Watchman And Sky News.

Read all about the war in Ukraine!

The war in Ukraine is escalating. On Tuesday, Russia carried out a large-scale attack on several Ukrainian cities. Nearly 99 missiles and cruise missiles of various types fell on civilian targets. A large number of drones have also been used. The attack came a few days after a missile attack of almost equal force.

according to CNN Russia is said to have launched more than 500 missiles and drones during the five-day New Year's weekend.

F-16s on the wings of NATO's eastern flank

Ukrainian Defense Minister Valery Zalozhny refers to the attacks as the largest of their kind against Ukraine since the large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. Dozens of Ukrainians were killed, and nearly 200 others were injured.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russia has used almost every weapon in its arsenal, including S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, which can also be used against ground targets.

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The violent attacks caused alarm bells to ring in many Western countries. NATO reacted strongly, ordering four F-16 planes into the air to closely monitor NATO's eastern flank. This also occurred as a result of Russian missiles most likely using Polish airspace during the attack.

video: It should show Russian missiles being shot down

We must respond in a language that Putin understands

We must respond to the recent attack on Ukraine in a language that Putin understands, by tightening sanctions so that he cannot build new weapons with smuggled components, and supplying Kiev with long-range missiles that enable it to destroy launch and command sites. Centres, writes Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on X.

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Volodymyr Zelensky has long urged the West to provide Ukraine with more powerful and longer-range weapons. But the desire has not yet been fulfilled due to Western fears of escalation of the conflict. A massive Russian attack may be a lowering of the threshold for giving Ukraine what it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.

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“Preparing for the long war”

Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Sergey Naev, gives orders to Ukrainian soldiers who participated in defensive operations during attacks on the Kiev region, near Kiev, on January 3, 2024. Photograph: Anatoly Stepanov/AFP

according to Institute for the study of war Russia is likely to use more long-range missiles, including cruise missiles. This is interpreted as “preparation for a long war.”

According to the British Ministry of Defence, Russia used a “significant proportion” of its stock of newly produced long-range missiles several days after violent attacks in Ukraine.

He added: “This indicates that Russia is looking at a long-term campaign, and is not aiming for a quick victory.”

The attacks cost Russia ten billion kroner

Military analyst Anders Bock Nielsen at the Defense Academy in Copenhagen interprets the recent Russian attacks as a sign that the war is now moving into a new phase.

– They have saved their money for several months so that they can do it now, says the military analyst in Danish TV2. It is believed there will be more similar attacks throughout the winter.

It is believed that Russia is now trying to find new routes through Ukrainian air defense. Before the attack on January 2, Russia allegedly hacked private surveillance cameras in Kiev to find out how Ukrainian air defense worked and where it was located in the city.

according to Forbes The last two air strikes are said to have cost the Russians around ten billion Norwegian kroner in total.

“I find it difficult to see that they are making any military gains from this that can justify the costs,” says Anders Bock Nielsen.