Ukraine Strikes Russian Arms Depot with U.S. ATACMS Missiles on War’s 1,000th Day

KYIV, Nov. 19 (Reuters) — On the 1,000th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces launched U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles at a Russian military facility in the Bryansk region, marking the first use of these advanced weapons in the ongoing conflict.

Ukraine’s military targeted an arms depot located about 110 kilometers (70 miles) inside Russian territory. The strike caused secondary explosions, though Ukrainian officials did not immediately confirm the specifics of the weapon used. However, both a U.S. official and a Ukrainian government source confirmed that the missiles deployed were ATACMS, which were recently approved for use by the Biden administration.

In response, Russia claimed its air defense systems intercepted five out of the six missiles. However, one missile’s debris struck the facility, igniting a fire that was quickly contained, with no reports of casualties or significant damage.

The ATACMS missiles, which have a range of over 160 kilometers, are a significant step in Ukraine’s efforts to target deeper into Russian territory, potentially shifting the balance in the ongoing war. While the Russian defense system reportedly downed some of the missiles, Ukraine’s successful strike underscores the growing impact of Western-supplied arms on the battlefield.

This milestone attack coincides with the war’s 1,000th day, highlighting Ukraine’s continued resilience and reliance on advanced military technology as the conflict grinds on.