Ukraine launched a long-range missile, provided by the United States, into Russian territory.
Ukraine's strategic launch of a long-range missile, supplied by the United States, targeting Russian territory. Explore the implications of this military action amidst ongoing tensions and geopolitical dynamics. Stay informed on the latest developments in the Ukraineussia conflict
Ukrainian forces have reportedly targeted a Russian weapons depot using US-made ATACMS missiles, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict as the war reaches its 1,000th day. This operation represents the first instance of Ukraine deploying these longer-range missiles across the border, following the Biden administration's recent authorization for Kyiv to engage targets within Russia.
According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the attack occurred at 3:25 a.m. local time (7:25 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, with six ballistic missiles launched at a facility in Bryansk. The use of ATACMS in this assault underscores Ukraine's swift action in leveraging its newly acquired capabilities.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refrained from confirming the attack but emphasized Ukraine's long-range capabilities, stating, "Ukraine has long-range capabilities. Ukraine has long-range drones of its own production. We now have a long ‘Neptune’ (Ukrainian cruise missiles) and not just one. And now we have ATACMS. And we will use all of this."
Russian air defenses reported intercepting five of the missiles, with one sustaining damage. Debris from the damaged missile fell on a military facility, resulting in a fire that has since been extinguished, with no reported casualties or significant damage.
On the same day, President Vladimir Putin announced updates to Russia's nuclear doctrine, indicating that any aggression from a non-nuclear state, in collaboration with a nuclear power, would be perceived as a joint attack on Russia. This revision appears to lower the threshold for the potential use of nuclear weapons.
President Biden's authorization for Ukraine to utilize longer-range American missiles within Russia came just days prior, marking a shift in strategy after months of caution aimed at preventing a significant escalation of the conflict. This decision is particularly pertinent as Russia intensifies its military efforts, probing Ukrainian defenses in the east and launching missile strikes on urban centers to disrupt infrastructure as winter approaches.
