Ukraine ATACMS strike/ Biden policy shift Ukraine/ Bryansk region attack/ Russia missile defense/ Ukraine war updates/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia accused Ukraine of launching six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at the Bryansk region, marking the first use of the long-range weaponry since U.S. President Joe Biden eased restrictions. Ukraine claims to have targeted a weapons depot, while Russia says most missiles were intercepted. Meanwhile, Russia continues its deadly barrage on Ukrainian civilian areas.
Ukraine Launches U.S.-Made ATACMS in Bryansk as War Enters 1,000th Day
Key Points:
- ATACMS Strikes in Bryansk:
- Russia claims Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles, downing five and partially damaging one.
- Ukraine reports hitting a weapons depot in the region with multiple explosions reported.
- Neither side’s claims have been independently verified.
- Biden’s Policy Shift:
- The attack follows President Biden’s approval for Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.
- Russia has warned such strikes escalate the conflict, equating them to NATO aggression.
- Civilian Casualties in Ukraine:
- A Russian drone strike in Hlukhiv killed 12 civilians, including a child, and injured 11 others.
- Similar strikes in Sumy and Odesa have killed over 30 people in recent days, intensifying fears of civilian-targeted assaults.
Ukraine Fires ATACMS at Russia’s Bryansk Region After U.S. Policy Shift
Deep Look: ATACMS Strikes Mark a New Phase in the Ukraine War
ATACMS Deployment in Bryansk
Ukraine has launched six U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) at Russia’s Bryansk region, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting five missiles and damaging another, with debris causing a fire but no casualties or significant damage.
While Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike, it did not specify the weaponry used, claiming that multiple explosions at a weapons depot in Bryansk were heard overnight. The move signals Ukraine’s first reported use of ATACMS following U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Kyiv to strike Russian territory with American-provided long-range weapons.
The U.S. policy change aims to counter Russia’s military advantages, particularly its reinforcement with thousands of North Korean troops.
Biden’s Policy Shift Sparks Tensions
President Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to use U.S.-made long-range weapons reflects a strategic shift in Washington’s approach. The move has drawn sharp rebukes from Moscow, which views such actions as direct provocations by NATO.
Kremlin officials previously warned that Western-supplied weapons targeting Russian soil could force Russia to treat NATO members as active participants in the conflict.
Despite the escalation, Biden’s decision underscores U.S. commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities as Kyiv contends with mounting Russian offensives.
Civilian Toll Mounts Amid Escalating Strikes
Russia’s intensifying aerial campaign against Ukrainian civilian areas continues to exact a heavy toll. In Hlukhiv, Sumy region, a Shahed drone strike late Monday killed 12 people, including a child, and injured 11 others. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors under the rubble.
The attack follows a Sunday ballistic missile strike in Sumy that killed 11 and wounded 84. On Monday, a missile barrage in Odesa ignited fires in apartment buildings, leaving 10 dead and 43 injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of prioritizing war over peace.
Zelenskyy’s Response and Calls for Forceful Action
Zelenskyy remains resolute in his calls to pressure Moscow militarily, stating that Putin has no interest in negotiations.
“Each new attack by Russia only confirms Putin’s true intentions. He wants the war to continue. Talks about peace are not interesting to him. We must force Russia to a just peace by force,” Zelenskyy said.
As Ukraine and its allies adjust to a new phase in the war, the use of U.S.-made ATACMS signals Kyiv’s readiness to strike at the heart of Russia’s military capabilities. However, the long-term implications of such escalations remain uncertain.
