Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News
World

Russia Launches Drone Assault, Ukraine Shoots Down 21

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, police and emergency workers help a wounded resident after an apartment building where he lived was hit by a Russian missile in Kharkiv, Ukra

Imagine the chaos that ensues when governments start launching drones at each other. Well, you don't have to imagine for long because that's exactly what happened between Russia and Ukraine recently. In a bizarre turn of events, Russia decided to rain down drones on Ukraine, and in return, Ukraine shot down 21 of them. Talk about a high-tech game of cat and mouse!

One of the cities caught in the crossfire was Kharkiv, where an attack left 28 people wounded and various buildings damaged. It seems like no place was safe, with a central hotel, apartment buildings, kindergarten, shops, and administrative buildings all bearing the brunt of the assault. What a way to shake up a peaceful, ordinary day!

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that their target was the Kharkiv Palace Hotel, where they believed representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Ukrainian Armed Forces involved in a supposed 'terrorist attack' in Belgorod were hiding out. It's like something out of a James Bond movie!

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, an apartment building hit by a Russian missile is seen in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, police and emergency workers help a wounded resident after an apartment building where he lived was hit by a Russian missile in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, Rescuers and people carry a wounded person after shelling in Belgorod, Russia. Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod. Two children were killed in Saturday's attack, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement on social media. He also said that an unspecified number of people had been injured. (Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel via AP)
In this photo taken from video released by Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, Firefighters extinguish burning cars after shelling in Belgorod, Russia. Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod. Two children were killed in Saturday's attack, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement on social media. He also said that an unspecified number of people had been injured. (Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel via AP)

But the drama didn't end there. In the Kyiv region, a critical infrastructure facility went up in flames due to yet another Russian drone attack. The exact details of the facility remain a mystery, leaving us all wondering what was so important that it caught Russia's attention. Perhaps it was a secret base for training super spies? We can only speculate.

Meanwhile, in Belgorod, tragedy struck as shelling in the city center claimed the lives of 24 people, including three innocent children. This devastating attack left 108 more injured, making it one of the deadliest assaults on Russian soil since the start of the invasion. The situation is undoubtedly dire, and both sides are pointing fingers at each other, playing a dangerous blame game.

To add even more spice to this already volatile situation, Russia accused Ukraine of using Czech-made Vampire rockets and Olkha missiles with cluster-munition warheads in the attack. However, without concrete evidence, these claims remain nothing more than words in the wind.

With tensions escalating, it's no surprise that Russia vowed that this 'crime will not go unpunished.' The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement on social media, leaving the world waiting with bated breath to see what their version of justice looks like. Will there be more drones involved? Will they turn to spies and secret agents to settle the score? Who knows!

As we approach the New Year, Ukrainians are walking on eggshells, waiting to see what Russia has planned next. The fear of another assault similar to the one that occurred on New Year's Eve last year looms large. It's a sad reality when civilians become mere pawns in this geopolitical game.

In this fast-paced, interconnected world, it's both astounding and terrifying how governments can resort to aerial warfare with just the push of a button. It's like a real-life video game, only the consequences are all too real. One can only hope that cooler heads will prevail, and this dangerous game of drones will come to an end. The innocent civilians caught in the middle deserve nothing less.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.