**Russia and Ukraine Clash Over Missile Strikes**
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated on December 20, with both sides claiming to have struck key targets.
**Russian Claims Unverified**
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, their forces intercepted six American-made ATACMS missiles and three British-made Storm Shadow missiles. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
**Damage in Rostov Oblast**
Earlier on December 18, a chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov Oblast was hit by Ukraine-launched ATACMS missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that their air defense forces shot down 10 missiles over the region, causing damage to residential buildings.
**Ukraine Strikes Back**
On December 20, Ukraine launched five ballistic missiles at Kyiv, which were intercepted by Russia’s air defenses. One person was reported killed and 12 injured in the attack.
**Russian Response Claimed**
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that their missile attack on Kyiv was a response to the strike against the chemical plant in Rostov Oblast. They claimed to have hit a Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) command center and a missile manufacturing plant, stating that “all targets have been hit.”
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