Ukraine has reportedly used US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms) to strike Russian territory for the first time, according to the Russian government. The attack, which targeted the Bryansk region near Ukraine’s northern border, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and comes a day after Washington approved the use of these longer-range missiles.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that five missiles were intercepted, while one caused damage and sparked a fire at a military facility. However, US officials, speaking to CBS News, suggested Ukraine fired around eight missiles, with only two intercepted by Russian defenses. Kluemedia has not been able to independently verify these conflicting accounts.
Moscow Blames Washington
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of fueling the conflict by enabling Ukraine’s use of Atacms.
“That Atacms was used repeatedly overnight against Bryansk Region is of course a signal that they [the US] want escalation,” Lavrov said during a press conference at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. He added that Russia believes the missiles were likely operated by American military experts.
Lavrov warned that Russia would treat these strikes as an escalation of the “Western war against Russia” and promised a corresponding response.
Nuclear Doctrine Adjustments
Coinciding with the missile strikes, President Vladimir Putin approved amendments to Russia’s nuclear doctrine. The updated policy states that any attack from a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power will be treated as a joint assault on Russia, potentially triggering a nuclear response.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned the changes, calling them “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” He added, “The US has not seen any reason to change its nuclear posture but will continue to call on Russia to refrain from such provocative behavior.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed these sentiments, asserting that the changes would not deter continued Western support for Ukraine.
Tactical Implications
Atacms, known for their 300km (186-mile) range and difficulty to intercept, have already been used by Ukraine to target Russian-occupied areas within its borders. This latest development allows Kyiv to extend its reach into Russian territory, potentially targeting strategic areas such as the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have established control over more than 1,000 square kilometers.
While Ukraine has not officially confirmed the use of Atacms in the Bryansk strike, its military earlier claimed responsibility for hitting an ammunition warehouse in the region.
Broader Implications
The strike underscores a growing willingness by Ukraine to take the fight deeper into Russian territory, a move likely to provoke further tensions. It also highlights the strategic impact of Western-supplied advanced weaponry on the conflict’s dynamics.
As the war enters another phase, international observers are concerned about the potential for further escalation, particularly in light of Moscow’s revised nuclear stance and the continued supply of Western arms to Ukraine.