Ukraine has launched a bombing campaign on five Russian cities using British and American missiles, prompting the Kremlin to vow to respond to the “massive” attack.
Kyiv fired six British Storm Shadow missiles and US-made Atacms tactical ballistic missiles, as well as at least 146 drones. The targets ranged from Bryansk in the west of Russia near the Ukrainian border, to Kazan which is 450 miles east of Moscow. Tula, 100 miles south of Moscow, as well as Saratov and Engels – both 450 miles to the south-east of Moscow – were also targeted.
“The actions of the Kyiv regime, supported by its Western curators, will not go unanswered,” Russia’s defence ministry said.
Engels, which is home to many of Russia’s long-range nuclear bombers, has been struck twice in a week.
During the same tirade, Ukrainian UAVs targeted the industrial Orgsintez plant in Kazan. The facility is one of Russia’s biggest manufacturers of high-strength plastics and is situated in the northern outskirts of the city.
A gas tank close to the industrial site was struck during the bombing raid, causing it to burst into flames.
Video images shot by locals show a raging inferno with giant flames leaping into the night’s sky.
In a press release, local officials said: “Today at 5.20 am in the suburbs of Kazan, a gas tank caught fire as a result of a UAV attack.”
The Aleksinsky Chemical Plant in Tula Oblast, the Saratov oil refinery, and the Bryansk chemical plant were also hit in Kyiv’s blitz.
Following the attack on the refinery in Saratov, a Ukrainian ministry of defence spokesman said: “The destruction of Russian military facilities continues. Glory to Ukraine”.
