The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate as Moscow on Tuesday pledged retaliatory actions following Ukraine’s deployment of US-made ATACMS missiles against Russian military installations. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Kyiv and its Western allies against launching such missile strikes.
Ukraine’s first use of the US-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) took place last week after receiving Washington’s approval. The missiles were reportedly used in strikes on November 23 and 25, targeting military infrastructure in Russia’s western Kursk region, including the Kursk Vostochny airbase.
The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed damage to infrastructure and acknowledged casualties among its personnel — an unusual admission from Moscow. It claimed, however, that its air defences intercepted several of the missiles during both attacks.
Last night, Russia attacked Ukraine, launching a record number of strike drones—188—against our people. I want to thank our defenders of the sky for repelling the attack. Around 80 drones were shot down, and more than 90 were lost due to location disruption.
Unfortunately, there… pic.twitter.com/o701zePjHd
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 26, 2024
Moscow’s Retaliatory Strikes
In response to Ukraine’s first ATACMS deployment, Russia launched its experimental Oreshnik hypersonic missile on Thursday, striking Dnipro. Putin hinted that the missile could carry a nuclear payload and warned of further use depending on the actions of the United States and its allies.
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Russia also unleashed a record-breaking drone assault overnight, launching 188 drones against Ukraine. Kyiv reported that its defences had downed 76 drones, while others were intercepted by electronic jamming. The attack disrupted energy supplies in Ukraine’s eastern regions, including critical infrastructure in Ternopil.
NATO-Ukraine Meeting Amid Escalation
Amid these developments, NATO’s 32 member states convened with Ukraine in Brussels to discuss the security situation and Russia’s deployment of new weapons. While NATO reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine, diplomats played down expectations of major decisions emerging from the meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of sanctions against Russia, arguing that Moscow’s ability to circumvent restrictions continues to fuel the war.
Advances on the Battlefield
As diplomatic tensions rise, the conflict on the ground intensifies. Russia claimed to have “liberated” the village of Kopanky in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, an area of recent Russian advances. The settlement, previously retaken by Ukraine in 2022, signals renewed Russian momentum in the east.
Meanwhile, in the Russian-occupied Kherson region, Ukrainian strikes reportedly hit a bus in Nova Kakhovka, killing four and wounding seven, according to Moscow-appointed officials.
The situation remains precarious, with both sides escalating their use of advanced weaponry. As Moscow prepares its promised retaliation and NATO deliberates its next steps, the conflict shows no signs of abating.
