Ukraine launches US-made long-range missiles into Russia first time

Russia claims Ukraine has launched long-range missiles from the United States into its territory after Washington just authorized such operations.

According to the Moscow Ministry of Defense, Ukraine struck Russia’s Bryansk region this morning utilizing the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

One missile was damaged, five were intercepted, and the statement claimed that fragments of the damaged missile started a fire at a military facility near Bryansk.

The strike is the first time long-range missiles have been launched on Russia’s internationally recognized territory, following a warning from Washington to Ukraine to do so. In response, Russia has pledged to “react responsibly.”

Ukraine has been deploying ATACMS in areas of its territory occupied by Russia for over a year.

The missiles are considered to be difficult to intercept and have a maximum range of 300 kilometers (186 miles).

Kyiv may now shoot the missiles farther into Russian territory, including the Kursk region, which is almost 1,000 square kilometers in size and is occupied by Ukrainian forces. U.S. and Ukrainian authorities are reportedly anticipating a counteroffensive in the region.

The Russian Defense Ministry reports that the strike occurred at 03:25 local time (00:25 GMT). The fire caused by rocket debris was promptly extinguished, and no fatalities were reported.

The Ukrainian military did not say if ATACMS missiles were used in the strike, although acknowledging that it had struck a munitions storage site in the Bryansk region of Russia.

The military said the strike, which targeted a storage near the town of Karachev about 100 kilometers from the border, caused 12 secondary explosions.

Earlier Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved modifications to the country’s nuclear strategy, including new scenarios in which the country could consider using its nuclear weapons.

The updated doctrine states that if a non-nuclear state attack is supported by a nuclear power, it will be deemed a combined strike on Russia.