What did Kyiv face after the large Russian strike of 17 November?
A look back at the Ukrainian government's position on 18 November 2024, after a major aerial attack and a shift in US policy on long-range weapons.
What did Ukraine's leadership confront on 18 November 2024? Two developments from the previous day framed it: a large Russian strike on the country's infrastructure and a change in Washington's rules on Ukrainian use of American weapons.
On 17 November 2024, Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine in months. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, around 120 missiles and 90 drones were fired. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure across the country, killed at least seven people and caused widespread damage.
The same day, US President Joe Biden lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons for deep attacks inside Russia. Ukrainian forces were planning to use them in long-distance strikes in the coming days.
By 18 November 2024, the pressure on Ukraine's energy system and the new latitude for long-range weapons were the two main points shaping the government's wartime agenda.
