Ukraine's first deployment of US missiles hits Russian region
The BBC, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, reports that Ukraine launched long-range missiles supplied by the USA towards Russia. The attack was said to have occurred in the Bryansk region.
Many pieces of information provided by Russian state media or Kremlin officials are likely not true. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.
"Earlier today, at 2:25 AM Greenwich Mean Time, the enemy hit a target in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles. According to confirmed data, American-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles were used," the Russian ministry stated.
According to the statement, Russia allegedly shot down five missiles and damaged one. The destruction caused debris that reportedly led to a fire at a military facility in the region. No one was injured.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military reported that it had carried out an attack on a weapons depot near the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region of Russia. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the target was ammunition supplies, including artillery, from North Korea. However, it did not state whether ATACMS were used.
"This strike is the first instance of using long-range missiles on territory recognised by Russia and occurred shortly after Washington signalled that Ukraine has permission to launch ATACMS towards Russia," writes the BBC.
Russia changes doctrine
Vladimir Putin signed a decree on state policy concerning nuclear deterrence. The document was published and has already come into effect.
The updated doctrine suggests that the basis for a nuclear attack could be "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by any non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state," as well as a massive air attack using non-nuclear means, including drones.
The document signed by Vladimir Putin states, among other things, that "Russia views nuclear weapons as a deterrent, the use of which is an extreme and coercive measure."
