Thu Nov 21 04:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine Launches Long-Range Missile Strike into Russia
**KYIV, Ukraine** – Ukraine launched a long-range missile strike into Russia on Tuesday, using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets for the first time since receiving them. Eight ATACMS rockets targeted a major Russian ammunition depot in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, approximately 60 miles from the Ukrainian border.
The strike comes after the Biden administration recently approved the use of ATACMS rockets against military targets within Russia, a policy shift that followed months of Ukrainian requests. The White House reportedly linked the approval to the need to support Ukraine’s defensive efforts in the contested Kursk Oblast region, where a significant Ukrainian force is positioned.
The Kremlin claimed that its air defenses intercepted five of the missiles and damaged a sixth, causing a fire. However, other reports suggest fewer missiles were intercepted. The extent of the damage inflicted on the arsenal, one of Russia’s largest ammunition storage sites, remains unclear.
The timing of the strike and the targeting of the Bryansk arsenal suggest a calculated Ukrainian effort to disrupt Russian supply lines and support for their offensive in Kursk. Russia has reportedly been fortifying military installations in the region in anticipation of such attacks.
The use of ATACMS rockets marks a significant escalation in the conflict, prompting a strong reaction from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently lowered the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, a move interpreted by some as a response to the escalating conflict.
The Biden administration maintains that the US is not at war with Russia, blaming Russia for the escalation through its invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of North Korean troops supporting the Russian offensive. The Pentagon emphasized that the US support for Ukraine is focused solely on defensive efforts. The long-term implications of this escalation remain to be seen.
First Piper 