drone, illustrative photo from the Ukrinform website
According to experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian drones launched over the past 24 hours likely hit many of their intended targets in Russia, as evidenced by the difference in numbers: the Ukrainians reported more than 70 drones launched, while the Russians reported 32 intercepted.
Source : ISW
Details : Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out a large series of strikes against targets in Russia on the night of December 29-30 and December 30. Ukrainian security sources told Western and Ukrainian media that on the night of December 29-30, Ukrainian forces launched more than 70 drones at Russian military infrastructure and defense industrial facilities near Moscow, Belgorod, Tula, Tver and Bryansk.
Ukrainian sources described the strikes as a response to the Russian attack on December 29, which was the largest series of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian forces intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk and Moscow regions on the night of December 29-30.
Analysts say the discrepancy between Russian and Ukrainian figures may indicate that Ukrainian forces hit many of their intended targets.
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Kremen El plant in Bryansk, which is Russia's second-largest microelectronics manufacturer, 90 percent of whose products are said to be components of Russian military equipment and systems.
Geolocation footage published on December 30 shows explosions over the city of Bryansk. And the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian air defense systems shot down 12 Ukrainian MLRS missiles in the Belgorod region on December 29 and several more Ukrainian MLRS missiles near Belgorod during the day on December 30.
Ukrainian security sources told the media that the Ukrainian strikes on December 30 were aimed at Russian military facilities near Belgorod.
Key ISW findings for December 30 :
- Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out a series of strikes against targets in Russia on the night of December 29–30 and December 30.
- Russian troops carried out fewer missile and drone strikes on Ukraine on December 30, following a large series of strikes on December 29.
- Russian officials continued to make clear that Russia was not interested in good faith negotiations with Ukraine or the West and was committed to achieving its maximalist goals in Ukraine.
- Russia continues to create information conditions aimed at destabilizing Moldova, presenting Russia as the protector of Russian-speaking citizens of Moldova who are allegedly in danger.
- The Russian Federation also continues to actively try to shape the Western information space to support Russian positions and undermine support for Ukraine, portraying these efforts as endogenous to the West.
- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the improvement in Russia's diplomatic relations with non-Western countries, indicating that the Kremlin is not confident in the possibility of diplomatic isolation amid a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Russian troops achieved confirmed successes near Kremennaya, Bakhmut and Avdievka, and positional battles continued along the entire line of contact.
- Russian military commanders have reportedly continued to disband the so-called “DPR” Interior Ministry's Cascade operational unit to support their efforts to formalize control over Russian irregular forces.
- Russia continues efforts to integrate education systems in occupied Ukraine and expand educational programs aimed at eradicating Ukrainian identity in the occupied territories.