Ukraine's bold ATACMS strike signals shift in conflict
- Ukraine possesses long-range strike capabilities, including domestically produced drones and long-range Neptunes. We also now have ATACMS missiles. All of these will be utilised - stated Volodymyr Zelensky. However, the President of Ukraine did not disclose details regarding the attack on the depot near Bryansk.
President Volodymyr Zelensky did not confirm if the attack on the depot near Bryansk was executed using U.S. ATACMS missiles. Still, he affirmed that Ukraine has long-range strike capabilities, which will be employed.
- Without unnecessary details. Ukraine possesses long-range strike capabilities, including domestically produced drones and long-range Neptunes. We also now have ATACMS missiles. All of these will be utilised - Zelensky responded when questioned about the strike on the Russian ammunition depot.
Ukraine attacked with ATACMS missiles
The initial use of ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory is reported to have occurred on the night from Monday to Tuesday - according to the RBK-Ukraine portal, citing a military source. The target - an ammunition depot near Bryansk - was reportedly successfully hit, it was added.
The source indicated that Ukrainians struck a military site near the town of Karachev in the Bryansk region of Russia. - Indeed, ATACMS were used for the first time to attack Russian territory - emphasised the source. Karachev is located about 130 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
Earlier on Tuesday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian army struck on the night from Monday to Tuesday at a weapons depot near the town of Karachev in the Bryansk region. Andriy Kovalinko, head of the Centre for Counteracting Disinformation, stated that North Korean artillery ammunition was destroyed.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the Ukrainian military used ATACMS missiles. According to the ministry, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the area at night with six such missiles in the Bryansk region. It was reported that five missiles were shot down, and one was "damaged." Fragments of this damaged missile reportedly fell onto the military site, causing a fire there. It was assured that no casualties or material damages were reported due to the attack.
Reuters, citing anonymous sources, reported on Sunday that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine to use American weapons to strike targets deep within Russia. Other media outlets conveyed similar information through sources in the U.S. administration.
Reuters announced that Ukraine was supposed to carry out initial attacks in the coming days using ATACMS missiles with a range of approximately 300 kilometres. According to these reports, the change in the U.S. decision regarding the use of American missiles was influenced by Russia's deployment of North Korean ground troops on the front lines.
