In a significant development, Russia's military has reported that its air defense forces successfully intercepted and shot down two long-range U.S.-made ATACM missiles launched by Ukraine towards Russian targets. This event marks a notable milestone, as state media asserts it to be the first instance of such an interception.
The announcement came through Russia's defense ministry in its routine updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Moscow refers to as "a special military operation." However, specific details about the interception were not provided. Reuters has been unable to independently verify Russia's claim, and as of now, there has been no immediate response from authorities in Kyiv or Washington.
Last week, Ukraine disclosed its use of the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles for the first time, reporting substantial damage inflicted on two airfields housing Russian helicopters and other military equipment.
The ATACMS, according to a U.S. Army website, are designed for "deep attack of enemy second-echelon forces."
Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in on the matter, stating that the United States was becoming more deeply entangled in the Ukraine conflict. He expressed his belief that supplying Kyiv with these missiles would not significantly alter the battlefield dynamics and could be effectively countered.
This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and raises questions about the potential ramifications for the broader regional situation. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
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