- November 17, 2024
- 2:03 pm
- Ukraine
Russia's strategy has not changed: Putin's goals are the destruction of Ukraine as an independent nation and the destruction of everything connected with Ukrainian sovereignty.
“This is the real answer of the war criminal Putin to all those who called him and visited him recently”
On the night of November 16-17, 2024, the Russian army again carried out a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine. It was one of the most powerful attacks of the war, involving 120 missiles and 90 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).. Among the missiles used in the attack were hypersonic Kinzhals and, probably, new Zircons.
Ukrainian air defense destroyed more than 140 air targets, but the consequences for the country were serious.
“Ukrainian F-16 pilots shot down about 10 air targets,” Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that “Russian troops do not stop shelling civilians and strategically important civilian objects.” Another blow was aimed at the country's energy infrastructure, causing power outages, which is especially important in the face of the approaching cold weather.
Targets of the attack: destruction of infrastructure and genocide of Ukrainians
The goals of the Russian attack became clear in the first minutes of the attack: the destruction of energy infrastructure and the creation of conditions for violence against civilians. Ukrainian authorities noted damage to a number of thermal power plants and widespread power outages. This not only deprives citizens of heat, but also has a significant impact on the country's performance during war.
President of Ukraine on the current situation
Zelensky claims that the Russian army is aimed at destroying the Ukrainian state, and the ongoing aggression is a clear act of genocide. In his statements, he emphasizes that “Russia will not stop its war until it destroys the Ukrainians or forces them to leave their native lands.” In this regard, the Ukrainian leader states that the peace negotiations that world leaders are talking about will not actually solve anything unless the real security of Ukraine is threatened.
Combined attacks: missiles and drones
Missile attacks from Russia have become a real nightmare for Ukraine. In one attack, which lasted several hours, 102 missiles and 42 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed. Among the missiles shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces were 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles and 7 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. These missiles, along with other types of weapons, demonstrated the full destructive power of the Russian military apparatus.
Preparing for winter: Ukrainian defense and economic consequences
Military experts note that Russia is using winter as an additional weapon, trying to weaken the morale of Ukrainians by turning off electricity and heat in anticipation of cold weather. Shahedas and missiles were used to destroy substations and other important facilities. Civilian casualties are also high. In Odessa and Ivano-Frankivsk, electric transport was stopped and there were difficulties with water supply, which aggravated the humanitarian situation in the country.
Ukraine's response: fighting drones and missiles
Ukrainian air defense continues to tirelessly fight against attacking missiles and drones. While Ukrainian defense forces cope with threats on multiple fronts, they are forced to focus all their efforts on protecting civilians and preventing catastrophic damage to critical infrastructure.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Russian war crimes
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sibiga, stressed that the latest attacks are a clear response from Russia to international diplomatic efforts.
“This is the real answer of the war criminal Putin to all those who called him and visited him recently”he wrote on his account on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
His words reflect concerns about Russia's threatening role in the international arena and the future of peace in Ukraine.
November 17 attack on Ukraine:
- 210 air targets:
- 120 missiles
- 90 drones
- 144 targets shot down Air Forces of Ukraine.
Forces and means used:
- 7 strategic bombers Tu-160, Tu-95MS
- 2 long-range bombers Tu-22M3
- 5 fighter-bombers Su-34
- 4 Su-27 fighters
- 10 MiG-31K fighters
- 4 ships
Types of missiles:
- 1 hypersonic missile 3M22 “Zircon”
- 8 aeroballistic missiles “Dagger”
- 101 cruise missiles Kh-101, “Caliber”
- 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile
- 4 Kh-22/Kh-31P cruise/anti-radar missiles
- 5 X-59/X-69 guided aircraft missiles
- 90 attack drones
Affected regions:
- Odessa region: 2 dead, 17-year-old injured, several houses damaged.
- Dnepropetrovsk region: 2 dead, 5 injured, houses and cars damaged.
- Lviv region: 1 dead, 2 injured, heating pipe damaged.
- Nikolaev region: 2 dead, 4 injured, houses, shops, cars damaged.
- Kyiv region: 1 wounded, 21 houses, 5 cars damaged, 125 thousand without power.
- Zaporozhye region: 2 wounded.
- Poltava region: High-rise buildings and cars were damaged, 1 casualty.
- Kherson region: houses were damaged, but no one was injured.
- Volyn region: energy infrastructure damaged.
- Ivano-Frankivsk region: Heat supply was stopped in Burshtyn.
Completion and conclusions
Russia's attack on November 17 is not only an act of aggression, but also further confirmation that Putin's goals remain unchanged. Ukraine remains under constant threat, and peace negotiations, even if they take place, will not be able to provide security for citizens and protect the territorial integrity of the country. Russia continues to use tactics aimed at destroying Ukrainians and their statehood.
“NAnews Israel News will continue to monitor the situation as changes at the front and international reaction will determine the future of the region and the world at large.
