Russian air defenses had to repel a significant Ukrainian Christmas drone attack on Moscow, which was revealed this morning. The assault began on Christmas Eve and persisted overnight, resulting in air defenses intercepting up to 141 Ukrainian drones directed towards Russia. Among them, about 36 drones were aimed specifically at Moscow, coinciding with Kyiv’s consideration of new peace proposals.
The drone attack led to the suspension of all flights at Moscow’s airports during the alert. This incident marked the first direct attack on Moscow in approximately two weeks, as Kyiv had been targeting Kremlin oil installations. The timing of the Yuletide assault aligned with Ukrainians celebrating Christmas on December 25, diverging from their traditional Russian calendar observance. Meanwhile, Russian leader Vladimir Putin dispatched bombers on a long-distance Christmas flight over the Norwegian Sea towards Britain.
NATO responded by scrambling warplanes to monitor Russian Su-33 fighter jets and escorting the long-range bombers away. Moscow’s defense ministry reported that the Russian Tu-95MS long-range bombers conducted a scheduled flight over neutral waters in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea. The ministry noted that foreign fighter jets intercepted the Russian bombers at certain points along the route.
In the ongoing conflict, Russia has suffered significant casualties, with over 1,201,230 troops lost to death or injury on the Ukrainian frontlines. Additionally, substantial military assets such as tanks, warplanes, and warships have been depleted. Despite controlling much of the disputed Donbas region, Russia continues to face challenges in making further advancements.
Tensions escalated over new peace proposals suggesting the transformation of the Donbas region into a demilitarized free economic zone with mutual troop withdrawals. However, Russia’s reluctance to agree to such terms poses a hurdle to progress. Tragic incidents, including the deaths of two Moscow police officers and a Russian general, underscore the ongoing volatility in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed readiness to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine’s industrial hub if Russia reciprocated, leading to the establishment of a demilitarized zone under international monitoring. The proposal, part of a broader 20-point plan, aims to find a resolution to the conflict, albeit with uncertain prospects of Russian cooperation.
While the US has proposed creating a demilitarized free economic zone in the region, Russia’s stance remains unclear. Moscow’s demand for Ukraine to cede remaining territories in Donbas has been rejected, further complicating negotiations. The control of Luhansk and Donetsk, key areas in the Donbas region, remains a contentious issue, with both sides seeking to assert authority.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the path to reaching a peaceful resolution remains uncertain. The involvement of international stakeholders and ongoing negotiations between the conflicting parties are crucial in determining the future of the region.