Ukraine Launches First ATACMS Strike on Russia Amid Rising Tensions
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Ukrainian forces have reportedly conducted their first-ever strike on Russian territory using Western-supplied ATACMS missiles, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The missile strike targeted a military facility in the western Bryansk region, just 115 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to local media sources.
The strike, which hit a warehouse in the city of Karachev, detonated stored ammunition, though Ukrainian military officials have not confirmed the specifics of the missiles used, citing classified information. The attack follows the Biden administration's decision to approve the limited use of ATACMS by Ukraine, granting Kyiv the ability to strike targets within Russia for the first time.
The move is expected to intensify the already volatile situation between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow quick to respond to the strike. Russian President Vladimir Putin, already facing international scrutiny for his invasion of Ukraine, has recently signed a new nuclear doctrine, expanding the conditions under which Russia could use nuclear weapons. Under this updated policy, Russia reserves the right to deploy atomic weapons in response to what it deems as a massive conventional attack, including drone strikes, by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that any Ukrainian attack using Western missiles would be regarded as a joint assault by a non-nuclear state, supported by NATO. The announcement has sent shockwaves through global financial markets, prompting a surge in safe-haven assets such as the Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and government bonds, while the German 10-year yield fell to its lowest since October.
While Ukraine has relied on homemade drones to strike deep into Russian territory in recent months, the use of ATACMS missiles represents a significant upgrade in its arsenal. Ukrainian officials have argued that these long-range weapons are necessary to target Russian air bases and military infrastructure, which are used to launch missile and glide-bomb attacks on Ukrainian cities.
As tensions continue to rise, global investors are closely watching the evolving situation, with analysts warning that the conflict could have far-reaching implications for both regional stability and international markets.
The strike, which hit a warehouse in the city of Karachev, detonated stored ammunition, though Ukrainian military officials have not confirmed the specifics of the missiles used, citing classified information. The attack follows the Biden administration's decision to approve the limited use of ATACMS by Ukraine, granting Kyiv the ability to strike targets within Russia for the first time.
The move is expected to intensify the already volatile situation between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow quick to respond to the strike. Russian President Vladimir Putin, already facing international scrutiny for his invasion of Ukraine, has recently signed a new nuclear doctrine, expanding the conditions under which Russia could use nuclear weapons. Under this updated policy, Russia reserves the right to deploy atomic weapons in response to what it deems as a massive conventional attack, including drone strikes, by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that any Ukrainian attack using Western missiles would be regarded as a joint assault by a non-nuclear state, supported by NATO. The announcement has sent shockwaves through global financial markets, prompting a surge in safe-haven assets such as the Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and government bonds, while the German 10-year yield fell to its lowest since October.
While Ukraine has relied on homemade drones to strike deep into Russian territory in recent months, the use of ATACMS missiles represents a significant upgrade in its arsenal. Ukrainian officials have argued that these long-range weapons are necessary to target Russian air bases and military infrastructure, which are used to launch missile and glide-bomb attacks on Ukrainian cities.
As tensions continue to rise, global investors are closely watching the evolving situation, with analysts warning that the conflict could have far-reaching implications for both regional stability and international markets.