Day 1024 of the war began with a relentless attack by Russia on Ukraine’s infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that Russia had carried out one of the most aggressive attacks since the beginning of the war overnight, using 93 missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles, and launching around 200 drones.
Out of the 93 missiles, 81 were shot down, including 11 cruise missiles, thanks to the F-16 fighter jets provided by allies. Among the missiles launched, at least one was North Korean.
The attack targeted the regions of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Cherkasy. Four people were injured in the Kharkiv region, and energy consumption restrictions were increased due to the attack on infrastructure.
Diplomatically, Kyiv is not yet ready to start peace talks with Russia, as it lacks the weapons, security guarantees, and international status it desired, said Andrii Yermak, advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky.
On the other hand, Washington announced new military aid for Ukraine, estimated at half a billion dollars, the third military aid announced by the US in December.
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### Situation on the Front Line
– **Massive Russian Attack** – Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack against Ukraine this morning, using Kinzhal ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones on infrastructure in several regions. Air defense operated in the Kyiv region. Explosions were also reported in the regions of Kharkiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Cherkasy, according to [Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-reported-as-russia-launches-large-scale-missile-attack-against-ukraine/). As a precaution, Poland scrambled fighter jets after Russian drones and missiles breached the airspace in western Ukraine. Ukraine’s energy system has faced 11 significant Russian attacks this year, causing substantial damage and disruptions in the distribution system.
– **Power Outages** – Ukrenergo, the state energy regulatory authority, reported that consumption restriction measures were intensified due to the massive attack on infrastructure. 50% of consumers in the Ternopil region were temporarily disconnected from the power grid, as announced by the regional military administration cited by [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/13/7488936/).
– **Building Hit by Drone** – A Russian drone struck a five-story building in the Industrialnyi district of the city of Kharkiv, announced Mayor Ihor Terekhov, adding that according to initial information, there were no injuries. In the Kharkiv region, four people were injured in today’s attack, announced Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
– **Attack with 93 Missiles and 200 Drones** – President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday that Russia had carried out one of the most aggressive attacks since the beginning of the war, using 93 missiles, including ballistic and cruise missiles, and launching around 200 drones. Out of the 93 missiles, 81 were shot down, including 11 cruise missiles, thanks to the F-16 fighter jets provided by allies, Zelensky specified. Among the missiles launched, at least one was North Korean. He once again called on world leaders to respond to the massive attack by equipping Ukraine with modern air defense systems, including Patriot systems.
### Other Relevant Information
– **Kyiv Not Ready to Talk with Moscow** – Andrii Yermak, advisor to Volodymyr Zelensky, stated in an interview broadcast on Thursday evening that Kyiv is not yet ready to start peace talks with Russia, as it lacks the weapons, security guarantees, and international status it sought, according to Reuters. Yermak’s statements come after Zelensky publicly stated that he is considering a negotiated settlement to end the war with Russia. „Not today,” Yermak said when asked if Ukraine is ready to start talks. „We don’t have the weapons, we don’t have the status we’re talking about. And that means an invitation to NATO and a clear understanding of the guarantees they would offer us, so that we can be sure that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin won’t come back in two or three years,” he said.
– **New Aid from the US** – The United States announced on Thursday new military aid for Ukraine, estimated at $500 million, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. This new shipment of equipment is the 72nd since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in February 2022 and the third military aid announced by Washington in December, following the one on Saturday, estimated at $988 million, and the one on December 2 for $725 million in equipment. The materials to be provided to Kyiv, announced on Thursday, include ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), artillery shells, drones, military vehicles, equipment for protection against chemical, radiological, and nuclear attacks, as indicated by the State Department.
– **Russia Using Fewer Guided Bombs** – Russian attacks on Ukraine with guided aerial bombs have decreased by over 50% since Western partners allowed Kyiv to strike Russia with long-range missiles. The conclusion comes from the independent Russian agency Agentstvo, citing reports from the Ukrainian General Staff. Details [HERE](https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/eveniment/dupa-ce-ucraina-i-a-atacat-cu-rachete-atacms-loviturile-rusilor-cu-bombe-dirijate-au-scazut-la-jumatate).