Ukraine Takes Unprecedented Step, Using American-Made Long-Range Missiles to Strike Inside Russia
Ukraine has launched a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia, employing U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets deep within Russian territory. The attack has sparked global concerns about the potential for further escalation, with fears of World War III briefly dominating discussions on social media platforms like X.
According to U.S. and Ukrainian officials, the pre-dawn strike on Tuesday targeted an ammunition depot in Russia’s Bryansk region. This marked the first known use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine against Russian soil.
- Impact and Damage: Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that its air defences intercepted five of the six missiles fired, with one successfully hitting a military facility, causing a fire.
- Target Details: Andrii Kovalenko, a member of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, confirmed the strike targeted warehouses containing artillery ammunition, including munitions reportedly supplied by North Korea.
The missile strike came just two days after U.S. President Joe Biden approved the use of ATACMS by Ukraine, a decision that marked a significant shift in U.S. policy.
- Ukraine’s Pleas Answered: Ukraine had been lobbying for months for access to ATACMS, arguing they were essential for hitting high-value military targets deeper in Russian-controlled territory.
- Policy Shift: The Biden administration’s previous reluctance gave way as reports surfaced of North Korean troops and supplies aiding Russia, prompting a more aggressive stance from the U.S.
The deployment of these long-range missiles has heightened fears of an expanded conflict, with Russian officials issuing stern warnings in response.
- Nuclear Concerns: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons use in retaliation, signalling the seriousness with which Moscow views the strike.
- Kremlin Reaction: Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, declared that Biden’s decision “escalates tensions to a qualitatively new level.”
- NATO Implications: Given the technical complexity of ATACMS launches, which often require coordination with U.S. military assets, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested the attack could be interpreted as an act of war by NATO itself.
On social media, speculation about World War III trended almost immediately after news of the strike broke. The use of ATACMS is being viewed as a significant turning point, with some fearing that the conflict could spiral into a broader international war.
This bold action by Ukraine underscores the high stakes of the war and the shifting dynamics of international alliances. While Kyiv celebrates the success of its mission, the global community braces for the Kremlin’s next move in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
