Ukraine Fires U.S.-Supplied ATACMS Missiles at Russian Bryansk Region, Escalating Conflict

Ukraine has launched six American-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region, marking the first time Kyiv has used these advanced long-range weapons inside Russia in nearly 1,000 days of war. This attack comes amid rising tensions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. This policy change allows Moscow to potentially respond with nuclear force to conventional attacks, particularly from nations backed by nuclear powers, such as the U.S.-supported Ukraine.

A video posted by an international media outlet affiliated with the Ukrainian military showed the launch of ATACMS missiles from an undisclosed location in Ukraine, although the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.

The strike in Bryansk is seen as part of the broader escalation in the war, which has already spiked international concerns. U.S. officials have voiced alarm over Russia’s use of North Korean troops in its fight against Ukraine, while Moscow has expressed anger over the U.S. decision to ease restrictions on ATACMS missile transfers. The use of these missiles represents a significant intensification of the ongoing conflict between the two nations.