Ukraine launched a U.S.-supplied ATACMS missile into Russian territory this week after receiving secret authorization from the U.S. government for such cross-border strikes, according to officials from both countries. This marks the first confirmed instance of an attack like this.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on Monday that precision-guided missiles were used against military targets within Russia, describing this capability as a significant development for future operations.
In a post on X, the General Staff stated, “The Armed Forces of Ukraine adopted the ATACMS tactical missile system and successfully targeted military sites inside Russian territory.” They emphasized this victory as a testament to Ukraine’s strong commitment to its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed via Telegram that four ATACMS missiles were launched toward the southern city of Voronezh on Tuesday, asserting that all were intercepted by S-400 and Pantsir air defense systems.
The Kremlin also alleged that Ukrainian forces had destroyed two ATACMS rockets in Kharkiv Oblast during a retaliatory assault on Iskander-M, though this assertion remains unverified.
While Ukraine didn’t elaborate on specific targets, they insisted that the strike was a precise operation aimed at legitimate military infrastructure.
This attack occurs nearly a year after the U.S. lifted restrictions that had previously barred Ukraine from using American long-range missiles to attack within Russia.
Up to this point, the launches of ATACMS from Ukraine had been confined to within its own borders, despite former President Joe Biden’s calls for greater freedom in their usage.
The Trump administration had intermittently hindered requests for long-range strikes, and reports indicated that any cross-border missile operations needed Pentagon approval.
Recent announcements suggest that these constraints might be easing, at least for now.
The Kremlin has consistently warned that should long-range weapons supplied by Western nations be deployed on its territory, it would consider this direct involvement in the conflict.
Kiev maintains that these strikes are crucial to target bases, airfields, and supply points that facilitate assaults on Ukrainian cities.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian-made missiles have successfully hit Russian energy infrastructure, amplifying the impact of sanctions from the Trump administration on companies like Rosneft and Lukoil, thus burdening Moscow’s economy even further.
Though the United States hasn’t formally acknowledged the recent missile usage, this shift highlights a transformation in how Ukraine is conducting warfare, allowing for deeper, quicker, and more extensive strikes than at any time since the Russian invasion began.
Kiev’s military stated that its long-range strike capabilities will “continue,” hinting at more cross-border actions ahead.
