BREAKING: Ukraine has officially launched strikes against Russian territory using US-made ATACMS missiles, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This development, confirmed today, follows months of delays and uncertainty regarding US policy on the use of these long-range missiles.
Ukraine’s General Staff announced that the ATACMS missiles were employed in a “precision strike,” signaling a decisive shift in military strategy. The statement emphasized that the use of long-range strike capabilities would continue as part of Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian aggression.
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has a striking range of approximately 190 miles and is typically launched from systems like the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or the M240 Multiple Launch Rocket System, both of which are in Ukraine’s arsenal.
Reports from several Russian Telegram channels indicate that air defense systems were activated over the Voronezh region in response to the strikes; however, independent verification of the attack’s specifics remains pending.
This announcement comes after significant delays in US approval for Ukraine to strike inside Russia, as previous restrictions were tightly controlled by the Pentagon. Under former President Joe Biden, restrictions were lifted in November 2024, allowing Ukraine to target Russian soil directly, a move that had been avoided for fear of escalating the conflict further.
Since then, Ukraine had not disclosed any further use of ATACMS, particularly during the early months of President Donald Trump‘s return to office in January 2025, when the Pentagon reportedly vetoed such actions. The new strikes indicate a potential change in US policy, although the precise reasons for this shift remain unclear.
As Ukraine’s military operations evolve, it has also worked to deploy its own long-range missiles, such as the Flamingo, to strike deeper within Russian territory, targeting critical infrastructure like arms factories and oil facilities. Additionally, Ukraine has utilized large, slow-moving drones equipped with explosives to carry out these attacks.
The implications of Ukraine’s renewed use of ATACMS are profound, potentially altering the dynamics of the conflict and raising concerns about further escalation. The White House and Pentagon have yet to respond to inquiries regarding this latest development.
As this situation continues to unfold, analysts and military experts will be closely monitoring the impact of these strikes on the broader conflict and the potential responses from Russia. The evolving military landscape underscores the urgency of the situation and the critical need for international attention and response.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge.