Ukraine has, for the first time, launched long-range American missiles against Russian targets.
The missiles used were the ATACMS, which were approved by President Biden just two days prior for deployment on Russian soil. Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have shot down five out of the six missiles with its S-400 and Pantsir air defense systems, leaving the sixth missile damaged. No casualties or significant damage have been reported as a result of the strike.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov quickly labeled the attack as a “signal that they want escalation,” adding, “Putin has already made his warnings.” Ukrainian sources reported that the target of the missile strike was a military facility in the Bryansk region, roughly 130 kilometers from the border, causing significant destruction according to Ukrainian defense officials. However, the governor of Bryansk, Aleksandr Bogomaz, dismissed the attack as a drone strike, claiming Russian anti-aircraft systems intercepted all incoming threats.
Ukrainian authorities have indicated that more attacks are forthcoming, particularly targeting Russian ammunition depots, as part of an ongoing effort to halt Russian aggression. In a separate development, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have destroyed 16 Ukrainian drones over Bryansk, while Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 51 Russian drones. Another 30 drones were lost from radar. The drone attacks in Ukraine led to tragic losses, with eight people killed and twelve others injured in the city of Hlukhiv, including several children.
