In an unprecedented move, Ukraine launched its first strike with American-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian military targets. The attack, authorized by President Biden, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, taking place as the war in Ukraine hits its 1,000th day. The targeted facility was located near Karachev, in the Bryansk region, around 130 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine's defense forces have officially confirmed the first use of long-range ATACMS ballistic missiles against Russian territory, striking a military facility in the Bryansk region. This momentous step coincides with the 1,000-day mark of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and followed a pivotal decision by President Biden's administration to authorize limited use of these advanced weapons by Kyiv. Ukrainian sources revealed that the targeted site was a key military installation located near Karachev, about 130 kilometers from the border shared with Ukraine.
The military operation occurred in the night hours of November 19 and focused on the 67th Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Following the strike, Ukrainian officials acknowledged the successful impact on Russian soil, emphasizing that such an operation using ATACMS is a significant escalation in their combat capabilities.
Up until now, Ukraine primarily relied on domestically produced drones to conduct strikes deep within Russian territory. However, the integration of US-supplied missiles is poised to enhance the destructiveness of their offensives. Russian authorities swiftly responded to the missile usage, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov characterizing the event as a clear signal of escalating tensions and a new chapter in the conflict.
He emphasized that this development could provoke a robust response from Moscow, which perceives such actions as an attack supported by western powers. Lavrov also pointed out President Putin's newly signed decree designed to potentially lower the threshold for Russia's nuclear engagement, underscoring the serious implications of the current situation. Meanwhile, reports indicated that Russian air defense succeeded in intercepting five out of the six missiles launched by Ukraine, with debris from the one remaining missile causing a fire at a military facility which has since been extinguished without reported casualties.
This incident marks a significant turning point in the Ukrainian defense strategy and potentially reshapes the geopolitical landscape as the conflict continues to unfold, raising concerns regarding the implications of Western military support for Ukraine amid rising tensions.'
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