Ukraine doubles. After the American Atacms missiles, it also launches the Anglo-French Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles against targets in Russia. Kiev seeks a further turning point in the war, which has exceeded 1000 days, and takes advantage of the green light obtained from its Western partners: the attacks can hit military objectives in enemy territory, in particular in the Kursk region, where Moscow is preparing the counter-offensive by also deploying thousands of North Korean soldiers.
“We are using all means to defend our country, we will not go into details. We are making it clear that we are capable of responding,” says Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. No official confirmation on the launch of Storm Shadow, at least 12, which would have hit a command center. Formally silence also from London and Paris. There is no shortage of elements on the field, however.
Traces of the attack
In the area of the village of Maryno, in Kursk, fragments of a missile are found: the writing Storm Shadow appears evident and the image is published by a Russian military blogger. The missile, which has a range of about 250 km, fell about 50 km from the border.
Kiev strikes a blow on a day of very high tension, characterized by the alarm being raised in the capital due to the risk of a massive missile attack. Several embassies close, including that of Italyin a climate of waiting and fear. In the end, neither missiles nor drones arrive.
“The flood of information that we have had, the panic messages that have been sent only help Russia”, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening speech at the end of a day in which “there was a lot of concern and many questions about some kind of particular danger. It is always essential to pay attention to air warnings that are issued.”
Landmines can make a difference
The Ukrainian leader can rejoice at other news, such as the one relating to the supply of anti-personnel mines released by the United States. In a few days, after the approval for the use of Atacms against Russian targets, another fundamental green light arrives from outgoing president Joe Biden. The US decision, Zelensky says, is “very important” to stop Russian attacks.
The mines “will really strengthen our troops at the front” and this is not a mere phrase: with winter upon us and the terrain increasingly difficult between snow and mud, Russia systematically relies on wave attacks, without caring of the losses of men who go into the assault on foot. American mines can become a decisive barrier along the entire front: from Donetsk, where Moscow’s forces have been pressing for months, to Kursk, where thousands of North Korean soldiers are also about to enter the scene.