Russian strikes on Lviv raise fears of Ukraine war spreading west

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

A Russian missile attack near Lviv airport has raised fears of Vladimir Putin’s war spreading to western Ukraine, as Russia claimed to be “tightening the noose” around the south-eastern port city of Mariupol.

A facility for repairing military aircraft by Lviv’s international airport – only 43 miles from Poland’s border – was hit by two cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea on Friday morning.

Ukrainian officials said they had shot down a further four missiles launched in the attack, the second on facilities near the historic city in recent days.

The strikes raise the spectre of Ukraine losing what has so far been a relative haven and hub for refugees and humanitarian aid.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/russia-missile-lviv-mariupol-ukraine-war

[DallasNE]

1. The Principle Reason For This Strike

Is to disrupt the supply chain for new weapons coming into Ukraine, particularly the new drones that are to be sent that will attack the artillery and really hamper the Russian war effort. Even now half of the missiles were shot down so this has to be the new direction Russia takes the war - stop new weapons coming into Ukrane.

[AntiFascist]

2. It was reported that they were using guided cruise missiles fired from over the Black Sea...

I wonder how many more of these they can afford use up?

[oldsoftie]

3. They're using missiles not jets or artillery.

Yes, still deadly. But missiles from a distance can't hit moving targets. They're grasping at straws. They can't attack with troops because they have horrible logistics.

[brooklynite]

4. Cruise missles are generally guidable...

...but it helps to know that the target is there in the first place.