The Russian military reported on Tuesday that Ukraine launched U.S.-made long-range ATACMS missiles at a military facility in the border region of Bryansk. This marks the first instance of such an attack since Washington approved the use of these missiles by Kyiv, according to official media reports.
Details of the Attack
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in an official release:
“At 00:25 GMT, the enemy struck a site in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles. Confirmed data indicates the use of U.S.-made ATACMS tactical missiles.”
Russian air defense systems, including the S-400 and Pantsir units, successfully intercepted five of the six missiles, the ministry added. The remaining missile caused minor damage, with its debris landing within a technical area of the military facility, igniting a fire that was quickly extinguished.
No casualties or significant damage were reported, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian and Western Sources
Ukrainian media had previously claimed that Kyiv’s forces utilized ATACMS missiles for the first time in a strike deep within Russian territory. Bloomberg also reported that Ukraine conducted this attack following the U.S. approval for the use of long-range missiles.
Background on ATACMS Missiles
The ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) is a long-range precision-guided weapon capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away. This advanced system represents a significant upgrade in Ukraine’s military capabilities, allowing strikes on critical targets far behind enemy lines.
Escalation Concerns
The use of long-range missiles introduces a new dynamic in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about potential escalations. While Kyiv sees it as a necessary measure to defend its sovereignty, Moscow has repeatedly warned against the provision of advanced weaponry to Ukraine by Western nations.
