Strana 27
seemed to support Ukraine’s claims, capturing
raging fires and secondary explosions
throughout the depot.
Subsequent ATACMS strikes have been
sparse, suggesting Ukraine is carefully
selecting only the most critical targets
due to its limited missile stockpile. These
attacks, however, have had a significant
impact. For instance, after Russia relocated
its Su-34 fighter-bombers out of ATACMS
range, the intensity of Russian glide-bomb
attacks dropped by approximately 50%. This is
attributed to the longer flight times required
to reach the front line and return, increased
fuel consumption, and higher maintenance
demands due to wear and tear.
Another major consequence of these
strikes is that following the U.S., Britain
also authorized the use of its Storm Shadow
missiles against the Russian territory.
The first such strike occurred in broad daylight
on Wednesday, November 20. The target
was the former Marjino Palace near Kursk,
now operating as a spa. An underground
bunker in the eastern part of the site was
the focus of the attack, with the missiles’
penetrating warheads aimed at this fortified
facility.
This was undoubtedly a high-priority target,
as evidenced by Ukrainian reconnaissance
drones operating deep in Russian territory to
document the aftermath. The drones recorded
three hits on surrounding buildings and nine
explosions directly at the bunker site, later
capturing the complex's destruction. Unofficial
Russian reports stated 18 soldiers were killed
and 33 wounded, most of whom were officers
from various Russian command structures.
Among the wounded were reportedly three
North Korean officers.
The use of 12 missiles emphasises the
strategic importance of this target. It also
indicates that Ukraine still has at least six
operational Su-24 aircraft, the only Ukrainian
planes capable of deploying Storm Shadow
missiles.
Show of Power
Russia had previously declared it would not
leave Western missile strikes unanswered.
Its response came on Thursday, November 21,
in the form of an attack on the city of Dnipro.
Seven Kh-101 missiles, one Kinzhal, and an
unidentified missile targeted the Pivdenmash
rocket manufacturing plant. Ukrainian air
defenses intercepted six Kh-101 missiles,
but three projectiles struck Dnipro.
Regarding the unidentified missile, Ukrainian
officials initially speculated it might have been
an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM),
marking the first combat use of such a weapon.
This claim, however, was not substantiated.
Later that evening, Russian President Vladimir
Putin announced the missile was a new
intermediate-range ballistic missile called
"Oreshnik." It was launched from the Astrakhan
region, approximately 900 km from Dnipro.
The Oreshnik missile reportedly reached
a speed of Mach 10 and carried six warheads,
each dispersing six submunitions—totaling
UKRAINE
Ukrainian Su-24 aircraft are capable of carrying the Storm Shadow missiles.
INFO Eduard
27
January 2025