NUNZIUM

The bitter winter in Ukraine and Russia has been further intensified by the escalating aerial warfare. The conflict, marked by long-range strikes and ground battles at a standstill, takes a new terrifying turn as the skies above become the latest battlefield.

On Thursday, Moscow reported intercepting Ukrainian missiles over Crimea and Belgorod, a Russian border city, resulting in one person wounded in Sevopol and over 100 people evacuated from their homes due to unexploded shells. Two men also sustained shrapnel injuries in Belgorod, signaling the conflict's encroachment onto Russian soil.

The conflict took a deadly turn on Saturday when 25 people, including five children, were killed in a city on the Ukrainian border. This marks one of the most significant attacks on Russian soil since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Due to the escalating violence, traffic was suspended on the bridge connecting Crimea, an essential supply link for Russia, which was seized a decade ago.

The conflict has seen attacks from both sides. Russia reportedly launched two S-300 missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The US claimed on Thursday that Moscow has used North Korean missiles to attack Ukraine and is seeking more from Iran, based on recently declassified intelligence. These missiles were reportedly fired into Ukraine on 30 December, adding a new dimension to the conflict.

Responding to these developments, Ukraine has urged its Western allies to continue supplying air defense weapons. With a NATO-Ukraine ambassadors' meeting scheduled for 10 January in Brussels, Ukraine's defense needs will be a key discussion point. The NATO allies have already provided a broad range of air defense systems to Ukraine and are committed to further strengthening its defenses.

In the meantime, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace plan talks are set for 14 January in Switzerland. The Ukrainian government is also working towards the release of more soldiers imprisoned by Russia, with over 2,800 Ukrainians already freed, but more than 4,000 remain captive.

Amid the escalating conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expediting the citizenship process for foreign fighters serving in the Russian military, requiring only a one-year enlistment to acquire a Russian passport. This bypasses residency and language requirements and underscores the desperate measures being taken.

The conflict showed no signs of easing as the New Year began. Russia launched heavy missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, killing at least 32 people on 29 December. In retaliation, Ukraine shelled Donetsk, a Russia-held Ukrainian city, on New Year's Eve, leading to at least four deaths and 13 injuries.

With daily attacks, the conflict has reached a fever pitch. Belgorod, a Russian city, has been particularly hard hit, with the death toll escalating to 25, including five children. In retaliation, Ukraine has launched a series of strikes on targets in south-west Russia, escalating the conflict further.

As the world watches the high stakes in the sky over Ukraine and Russia, the devastating cost of war becomes increasingly apparent. Each day brings fresh horrors and a stark reminder of the human cost of war. The hope for a swift and peaceful resolution remains, but for now, the skies over Ukraine and Russia are a terrifying battlefield.