Ukraine strikes Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles
In a significant escalation of the conflict, Ukraine has used US-supplied long-range missiles to strike a military facility in Russia’s Bryansk region.
This marks the first confirmed use of these weapons since Washington authorised their deployment.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the attack occurred at 3:25 am local time on Tuesday and involved six ballistic missiles.
While five were intercepted by Russian air defences, debris from the sixth missile struck a military site, causing a small fire.
The ministry reported no casualties or significant damage.
“At 03:25 am (0025 GMT), the enemy struck a site in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles. According to confirmed data, US-made ATACMS tactical missiles were used,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
Moscow has long warned that the use of Western-supplied weapons on Russian territory would constitute a red line, making the United States a direct participant in the ongoing conflict.
In response to the attack, the Kremlin promised an “appropriate and palpable response.”
Ukrainian officials have expressed optimism about the deployment of the ATACMS missiles.
On Monday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the new capability as a potential “game changer” in the nearly three-year-long war as Kyiv continues its efforts to regain territory and repel Russian forces.
