Russia is striking Ukrainian airfields because it fears the arrival of F-16 fighter jets in the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia is striking Ukrainian airfields because it fears the arrival of F-16 fighter jets in the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to Ants Kivisild, the head of Estonian intelligence.
Electricity, port and railway infrastructure facilities, military airfields, weapons and ammunition warehouses, military educational institutions, and defense industry enterprises engaged in the production and repair of weapons have been built throughout the country," said Kiviselg, adding that in the near future, more massive missile strikes.
Russia targets regions across Ukraine in mass missile attack
On the morning of January 13, Russia conducted a widespread attack on regions across Ukraine, employing various weapons, including hypersonic missiles, as reported by local authorities and the Air Force.
In Sumy Oblast, northeastern Ukraine, missiles targeted the city of Shostka around 7:30 a.m., resulting in one woman injured and leaving 12,000 residents without heating for a significant part of the morning, according to the region's Military Administration. The Prosecutor General's Office indicated that at least 26 buildings were damaged, and initial information suggests that Russia used Kh-22 anti-ship missiles in the assault.
Explosions were reported in Chernihiv Oblast in the north, where Governor Vyacheslav Chaus confirmed the engagement of air defense and acknowledged damage in an unspecified location. He mentioned no casualties at the time.
In central Ukraine, a missile was intercepted over Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, causing damage to a building, but no casualties were reported. Governor Filip Pronin noted that the rocket had not exploded.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reported that two cruise missiles were successfully downed over the district of Kryvyi Rih, rendering them "scrap metal," according to Governor Serhii Lysak.
Explosions were heard in Kropyvnytskyi in Kirovohrad Oblast, with Governor Andrii Raikovych confirming no casualties in the region.
In Khmelnytskyi Oblast in western Ukraine, a missile was intercepted above the region, and current information suggests that critical infrastructure and the civilian population were unaffected.
Air defense forces were active in Rivne Oblast, where Governor Oleksandr Koval reported no casualties or damage.
In Lviv, the air raid alert lasted from around 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:25 a.m. According to Governor Maksym Kozytsky, despite rockets being dangerously close several times, air defense forces in the west prevented them from entering Lviv Oblast's airspace.
Russia is preparing a legal defense to slow and prevent the seizure of frozen assets
Russia is reportedly pursuing legal avenues, including securing representation from international law firms, to counter the U.S. and its allies' efforts to seize frozen Russian assets, as per Bloomberg's report on January 12, citing unnamed sources.
Since the initiation of the full-scale invasion, Western nations have frozen approximately $300 billion of the Russian Central Bank's assets. Discussions between Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv have centered on legally redirecting these funds to support Ukraine's reconstruction.
Based on obtained documents, a previous Bloomberg report on January 10 indicated that U.S. President Joe Biden supports legislation that could authorize the confiscation of certain frozen Russian funds for the benefit of Ukraine.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled the potential asset seizure as "illegal," warning of "profound consequences," as reported by the Russian state-run news outlet Ria Novosti on January 11.
While Russian authorities believe the likelihood of fund seizure is low, sources suggest that the Russian Central Bank has engaged international law firms in preparation for potential legal proceedings.
The specific jurisdiction for such legal battles remains uncertain. A Russian legal analyst mentioned possible forums, including the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, or the EU's Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The analyst also highlighted that any attempt to seize assets could lead to protracted legal disputes lasting years and reciprocal confiscation of Western assets in Russia.