On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia always responds in kind to Kiev's strikes on Russian territory. “We always respond in kind. They use certain weapons against us and we use the same“, Putin said, quoted by "Interfax" and News.bg.
According to him, between five and seven ATACAMS missiles were used on Russian territory. “The Russian army responded with a comprehensive strike - 221 or 240 strikes”, the president added, specifying that all strikes were with high-precision long-range weapons.
Putin assured that Russia will continue to fulfill all the goals of the special military operation in 2025 and will achieve success. "Of course, we proceed from the fact that we will solve all the tasks of the special military operation. This is the number one task. We will achieve success on the line of combat contact," he said.
He also stressed that he is in constant contact with the situation on the front, mentioning specific obstacles that the soldiers face, for example, overcoming water barriers. "It is windy outside, and we are standing - warm and bright, and the guys are wading up to their chests and carrying machine guns on top," Putin noted.
Russia will continue to support the participants in the special military operation, as the war in Ukraine is officially called. Putin also commented on statements by foreign experts who predict that the conflict could be resolved by 2025.
In parallel with these comments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Christmas Day that every Russian massive attack was a well-planned and conscious choice, including the latest strike on Ukrainian energy facilities. "What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles and over hundreds of strike drones," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian military reportedly intercepted more than 50 missiles and some of the drones, although some regions were left without electricity.
Last year, there was also a major Russian airstrike, raising questions about the timing of the attacks.
Most recently, on Thursday, Russia reported that a US-made F-16 jet had been shot down in the Zaporizhia region before it could launch a missile strike on the region. The information has not been independently confirmed.