Ukraine attacks for the first time inside Russia with ATACMS missiles
The Kremlin claimed one of its military facilities on the border region of Bryansk was shelled with U.S.-made missiles.
File image of ATACMS systems in use.
Ukraine attacked a Russian military facility in the border region of Bryansk during the early hours of Tuesday morning. It did so, according to initial reports, with ATACMS medium-range missiles supplied by the United States. It is the first attack with this weapon system inside Russia since the beginning of the conflict.
In this way, Kiev has crossed the red line drawn by Moscow this weekend regarding the use of ballistic missiles against targets in Russia. On Sunday, it emerged that the White House had lifted its ban on Ukraine's use of such weaponry against Russia.
Kiev had been pressing the White House for months to be able to use its arsenal against Russia. It had the support of the European Union, which on Tuesday again reiterated its support for Ukraine. The head of E.U. diplomacy, Josep Borrell, called on the bloc's countries to also allow Ukraine to use the long-range weapons ceded by the 27 to attack targets inside Russia.
The target hit by Ukrainian missiles is some 72 miles inside Russian territory.
"At 03h25 (00h25 GMT), the enemy attacked a site in the Bryansk region with six ballistic missiles. According to confirmed data, U.S.-made ATACMS tactical missiles were used," Russian state news agencies reported. This morning, several Ukrainian media outlets also reported these launches.
However, Kiev has not confirmed officially the use of the U.S. weapons systems on Russian territory.
According to the Kremlin, in parallel to the launch of ATACMS missiles, Ukraine also launched a salvo of drones against targets in the same Brianks region. Russia claims it intercepted most of these. The target hit by Ukraine was reportedly a Russian arsenal and ammunition stockpile.
On social media, accounts close to the Ukrainian government and its armed forces published images that correspond to the launching of ATACMS missiles from HIMARS platforms.
Russia promises 'commensurate' response
According to agencies present at the summit, Lavrov blamed the United States and the Biden administration for this new escalation.
1,000 days at war in Ukraine
These updates on the conflict come as the war in Ukraine surpasses the 1,000-days mark. The date merited speeches by President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of his citizens and the European Parliament.
In these public addresses, the Ukrainian president again called for the support of the international community for his country, necessary to stop the advance of Russian troops. Zelensky addressed the European Parliament at the same time that speculation was beginning to grow about the possibility of an attack on Russia with ATACMS missiles.
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