Ukraine launched U.S.-provided longer-range missiles at Russian territory for the first time yesterday, November 19, 2024, marking a new chapter in the ongoing conflict. The strikes, using the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), targeted a weapons depot in Bryansk, located about 100 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border. This deployment follows the United States’ recent decision to allow Kyiv to use these powerful weapons against Russian targets beyond Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian officials have confirmed the strike but refrained from disclosing specifics about the weaponry used. However, U.S. sources stated that around eight missiles were launched, with two intercepted by Russian defenses. The remaining missiles reportedly struck their intended target, causing a series of secondary explosions. The Russian Ministry of Defense, in contrast, claimed that it had intercepted five missiles and reported minimal damage from the debris. These conflicting accounts highlight the challenges of verifying information in an active conflict zone.
The missile strikes come at a tense moment in the war, now in its 1,000th day. The conflict has strained international relations and raised fears of escalation. Shortly after the strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to the country’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for a nuclear response. Moscow’s updated policy states that any attack from a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear power, will be treated as a joint assault, potentially warranting a nuclear response. This shift in strategy has drawn condemnation from Western leaders, who have labeled the rhetoric as dangerous and destabilizing.
Washington’s decision to permit the use of ATACMS on Russian soil has also sparked strong reactions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of directly escalating the conflict. Lavrov suggested that the missiles could not be operated without American involvement, implying that U.S. personnel may have played a role in the attack. In response, U.S. officials dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that the missiles were operated solely by Ukrainian forces.
The introduction of longer-range missiles into the battlefield underscores Ukraine’s determination to push back against Russian aggression. For months, Kyiv had lobbied for these weapons to target strategic assets deeper within Russian territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the development, stating that Ukraine now possesses enhanced capabilities, including domestically produced drones, to defend itself against continued Russian offensives.
The strike on Bryansk follows a series of devastating attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a recent drone strike in the northern town of Hlukhiv, which killed 12 people and injured 11 others. Zelenskyy has condemned these attacks as further evidence of Moscow’s unwillingness to pursue peace. “Each new attack by Russia confirms its intentions to prolong this war. We must achieve peace by force,” Zelenskyy stated in a speech to European lawmakers.
The missile strike has also placed a spotlight on the evolving geopolitical dynamics. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office in two months, has criticized the current administration’s extensive military support for Ukraine. Trump’s statements have raised questions about whether this level of assistance will continue under his leadership. Meanwhile, NATO and Western allies are reassessing their strategies to support Ukraine amid escalating tensions, particularly as reports indicate that Russia is bolstering its forces with North Korean troops.
The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides preparing for potentially harsher confrontations. Ukraine plans to ramp up its domestic production of drones and missiles to reduce reliance on Western support. As the international community watches closely, the strikes with U.S.-supplied missiles mark a critical juncture in a war that continues to reshape global security landscapes.
Red = Bryansk region in Russia
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