Colonel Khodarenok: The Armed Forces of Ukraine will increase the intensity of attacks on targets in the Russian Federation
At about 2:20 a.m. on January 16, explosions were heard in several neighborhoods of Voronezh. Drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the regional center of Russia. Why Ukrainian raids on Russian cities have become more frequent, whether such strikes will continue and how the Russian Federation will respond - in the material of the military observer "Gazeta.En" by Mikhail Khodarenka.
According to local residents, at least 15 explosions were heard in the city. Windows were broken in several houses (windows in four residential buildings along Ostrogozhskaya Street - 67, 67a, 67b, 67b were damaged). A balcony caught fire in one of the houses. According to preliminary data, eight high-rise buildings and at least 35 apartments were damaged. Some of the unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were shot down by air defense means. A city-level emergency mode has been introduced in Voronezh.
According to the statements of the Ukrainian military and political leadership, such actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine represent a kind of response to missile and air strikes by the Aerospace Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against objects on the territory of Ukraine.
How will the situation develop?
Most likely, missile strikes and attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles on the regional centers of Russia in the border zone will continue. It is quite possible that they will acquire a massive character. There is also an important political implication in this issue - strikes on Russian cities during Vladimir Putin's election campaign may cause undesirable consequences for the country's leadership.
The United Kingdom's intention to transfer long-range missiles to Ukraine will also contribute to strengthening attacks on facilities on Russian territory. This is particularly emphasized in Kiev.
Moreover, the Ukrainian side is interested both in a significant increase in the range of the received weapons of destruction and in their quantity. According to Ukrainian experts, obtaining long-range missiles will dramatically reduce the maneuverability of the Russian group and allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to hit objects of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the deep rear.
As previously reported, the new package of British military assistance to Ukraine will be the largest since the beginning of the special operation. Its cost will be $3.19 billion. It is separately emphasized that $255 million will be spent on the purchase and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, including reconnaissance, strike and marine ones. In this regard, it should be recalled that London considered the strikes on Russian facilities to be the legitimate right of Kiev.
Where did Kiev get the funds?
Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a "Security Cooperation Agreement" a few days ago. Kiev also reported on preparations for signing similar documents with the United States, Germany, France and other countries in the near future.
There is every reason to believe that after January 19, the United States will finally decide on financing and issues of military assistance to Ukraine. Most likely, Washington will find the necessary funds for Kiev.
It is quite possible that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will strike with cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at targets located far beyond the border zone. Earlier in Kiev, it was repeatedly stressed that the army attacks only military facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian side has significantly corrected this opinion recently. Now purely civilian objects are being attacked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the strikes on Belgorod and Voronezh once again confirm this.
As for the actions of the Russian Federation, Moscow needs to significantly increase the combat and numerical strength of air defense forces and means and significantly strengthen anti-aircraft missile and fighter aviation cover of the most important facilities in the European part of the country. As far as we know, such decisions have already been made, and we are talking about the formation of dozens of new parts and compounds. In addition, there is every reason to believe that missile and air strikes with high-precision long-range weapons against enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex by the Aerospace Forces and the Navy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will only increase.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
He graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976), the Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military-Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
Mikhail Khodarenok