Russia’s Fresh Missile Blitz, Putin’s Thermobaric Rocket Launcher Hit, Kyiv Kills 690 Russian Troops

Russia launched yet another missile attack against Ukraine on Thursday morning, firing over 30 missiles at cities across the country. Ukraine’s Commander-In-Chief Valery Zaluzhny said that his forces shot down 16 out of 36 missiles fired by Russia on Feb. 16. Ukraine’s military said that its forces killed over 690 Russian soldiers in the last 24 hours. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar has said that the situation in eastern Ukraine is "tense" as Russia's offensive is "ongoing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the country must move towards victory in spring. Ukraine said three people were killed and 11 injured after Russian missiles hit a building in Donetsk’s Pokrovsk on Feb. 15. Russia said that its forces killed over 100 Ukrainian troops in the Kupiansk region on Feb. 15. Ukrainian forces said they destroyed a Russian multiple rocket launcher that fired thermobaric weapons near Vuhledar. Russia’s army is estimated to have lost nearly 40% of its pre-war fleet of tanks after nine months of fighting in Ukraine. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has admitted that his mercenary group is facing difficulties in Ukraine and will soon decrease in size. NATO countries are ramping up production of artillery munitions as Ukraine is burning through shells much faster. The Netherlands has said that it will send Leopard 2 tank ammunition and spare parts to Ukraine.