Ukraine hits Russia with US long-range missiles in first strike
On the 1,000th day of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine fired US-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles into Russia’s Bryansk region. This marked the first time Kyiv used American missiles to hit deep inside Russian territory. The strike came shortly after US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to target deeper Russian areas with these weapons.
At 3:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Ukraine launched six ballistic missiles at a facility in Bryansk, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. Russian air defenses intercepted five missiles, while one caused minor damage and a fire, which was extinguished. No casualties were reported.
The decision to allow Ukraine to use US-made missiles comes amid escalating tensions. Thousands of North Korean troops have reportedly been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region near Ukraine’s border. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned Russia’s use of Asian forces in the European conflict, calling it a significant escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has long lobbied for advanced US weaponry, welcomed Biden’s move. He hinted at further strikes, saying, “Missiles will speak for themselves.”
In response to the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to Moscow’s nuclear doctrine. The revised policy allows Russia to retaliate with nuclear weapons against significant conventional assaults, even from non-nuclear states backed by nuclear powers. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the changes reflect current threats.
The missile strike and policy shifts signal a dangerous new phase in the conflict, with potential global implications.
