Russia Vows Retaliation After Intercepting Missiles, Drones Over Belgorod

The Russian military said it shot down eight U.S.-made ATACMS missiles and another 72 drones that Ukrainian troops had launched toward the Belgorod region.

A High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) during a military exercise, in Skede, Latvia, on Sept. 26, 2022. Gints Ivuskans/AFP via Getty Images

Russia has vowed to respond after Ukrainian forces launched a wave of drones and missiles at its western Belgorod region between Jan. 3 and Jan. 4.

In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense forces successfully shot down eight U.S.-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Belgorod, and another 72 drones that the Ukrainian troops had launched toward Belgorod.