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​December 5 Missile Attack Details: Ukrainian Air Defense and russian Issues

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Ukrainian S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems at work / Archive photo: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukrainian S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems at work / Archive photo: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

russian air raid turned out to be less effective than they expected

One more massive missile attack was launched by the russian forces on Ukriane on December 5, 2022. Around 70 cruise missiles of various types were spent: 38 missiles of Kh-101 and Kh-555 types were launched from Tu-95MS aircraft, 22 "Kalibr" missiles from the Black Sea Fleet cruisers, three Kh-22 missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers, six Kh-59 and one Kh-31P from Su-35S fighters.

Due to the Ukrainian air defense efforts, more than 60 missiles were shot down, Ukrainian Air Force Command reports.

Read more: ​Terrorrussia Launched Another Amassed Missile Strikes Across Ukraine
More than 60 air-launched missiles were shot over the Ukrainian skies on December 5 / Infographics credit: Ukrainian Air Force Command

As highlighted by the Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Valerii Zaluzhnyi, various defense forces were involved in repelling the russian attack, including air defense units of the Land Forces, Air Force and from other armed branches.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on the aftermath of the shelling. Power supply facilities of the Kyiv, Odesa and Vynnytsia regions were hit. In summary, it might be the least effective of russian missile attacks since October 10.

Soldiers with MANPADS are an integral part of Ukraine's air defense / Illustrative photo credit: Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

There are a few details to pay attention to. First, before the attack, as many as 14 Tu-95SM bombers took off russian airfields, according to Vitaliy Kim, a head administrative official of the southern Mykolaiv region. Though in fact, only eight of these aircraft were actually armed with missiles. Probably, six bombers carrying five cruise missiles each and two of them with four missiles.

One more detail is that it is the second consecutive massive missile attack without the use of Tu-160 strategic bombers. The likely reason is the difficulties faced when preparing this type of aircraft for a sortie.

Ukrainian Air Defenses repelling russian attacks
Ukrainian Air Defenses repelling russian attacks / Illustrative photo credit: ArmyInform
Read more: Overall Number of the Tu-95MS And Tu-160 Strategic Bombers at Engels Airforce Base, How Many of Them Can Be Ready to Strike