BREAKING: Ukraine has used US long-range missiles to strike within Russia for the first time

Published on 19 November 2024 at 08:46


On Tuesday, Kyiv announced it had targeted a Russian munitions depot near Karachev in the Bryansk region, located over 110 kilometers (70 miles) from Ukraine. This operation is reported by two Ukrainian media sources as the inaugural use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, although Ukraine has not officially confirmed the type of weapon employed. The military's general staff and intelligence agency have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

Reports from Reuters and other news agencies indicated that the White House had authorized Kyiv to utilize U.S.-provided weaponry for strikes deeper within Russian territory. Sources mentioned that these operations would commence shortly, likely employing ATACMS missiles. Ukrainian media outlets, including Forbes Ukraine and RBC Ukraine, have also referenced unnamed sources claiming that the strike on Karachev marked the first deployment of ATACMS in this context.


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Russia's defense ministry reported that its forces intercepted 12 Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region during a timeframe from 7:15 a.m. to 8:35 a.m., followed by an additional four drones shot down between 9:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. A subsequent update from the state news agency TASS indicated that Russian air defense had successfully downed a total of 85 drones and five ballistic missiles launched by Ukraine within the last 24 hours.

The Ukrainian military claimed that their strike resulted in 12 secondary explosions in the targeted area. They emphasized their commitment to continue targeting ammunition depots to hinder the Russian military's operations and counter the ongoing aggression from the Russian Federation. Ukraine has been utilizing domestically manufactured drones to strike deep into Russian territory, extending their reach beyond Karachev.

Additionally, Ukraine has begun testing and producing a limited number of its own missiles. However, they have expressed that receiving permission to use U.S.-supplied long-range weapons would significantly enhance their ability to target Russian logistics and missile launch sites. The U.S. has been cautious about granting such permissions, concerned that it might escalate tensions with the Kremlin, especially in light of Russia's recent deployment of North Korean ground troops, which has raised alarms in both Washington and Kyiv.


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