What's happened
On December 20, 2024, Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, killing one and injuring at least 12. This follows the assassination of General Igor Kirillov in Moscow, a key figure in Russia's military operations against Ukraine. The attacks highlight ongoing tensions and violence in the region.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Luke Harding in The Guardian, the missile attack on Kyiv was intense, with significant damage reported across the city, including to cultural sites and diplomatic buildings. The mayor of Kyiv condemned the attack as 'genocide,' highlighting the severe impact on civilians. Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on the assassination of General Kirillov, noting that it was a calculated move by Ukraine's security service to disrupt Russian military leadership. This dual narrative of missile strikes and targeted assassinations illustrates the ongoing volatility in the region and the lengths both sides are willing to go to assert their dominance.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated since the invasion began in 2022. Recent events include the assassination of high-ranking military officials and continued missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, indicating a significant intensification of hostilities.
More on these topics
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Igor Leonidovich Kirillov was a Soviet and Russian news presenter, announcer and actor. He was a news anchor for Soviet Central Television and announcer for the CT USSR news program Vremya for 30 years.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.