Ukrainian Defence Forces have reportedly conducted their first strike on Russian territory using American-made ATACMS long-range missiles. This action, occurring in the early hours of 19 November, targeted a substantial Russian military storage facility in the Bryansk region, according to sources cited by Forbes Ukraine.
The attack reportedly targeted the 67th GRAU arsenal in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, a key logistical storage facility for Russian forces. If confirmed, this strike marks a notable expansion of Ukraine’s tactical reach, extending its military operations into new areas within Russia. While Ukrainian authorities have not officially confirmed specific details of the operation, the General Staff of Ukraine issued a statement acknowledging a strike on a Russian military logistics site near Karachev, though it did not specify the type of weaponry employed.
The targeted facility reportedly housed a stockpile of artillery munitions, including North Korean-manufactured projectiles, cluster munitions, anti-aircraft missiles, and rocket-propelled systems. The Ukrainian Centre for Counteracting Disinformation highlighted the presence of these materials, noting the possible secondary explosions, which were recorded as 12 distinct blasts and subsequent detonations around 2:30 am local time.
Strategic Implications
The deployment of ATACMS missiles on Russian territory follows an apparent shift in policy by the United States, which has recently approved Ukraine’s use of these long-range missiles within Russian borders. On 17 November, The New York Times reported that U.S. President Joe Biden had given the green light for Ukrainian forces to employ ATACMS to counter Russian military assets located within Russian territory.
This permission aligns with increased Western support for Ukraine’s defensive efforts. It also signals a notable expansion of Ukrainian operational reach, allowing its forces to address Russian assets that play a direct role in the ongoing war, but which are located beyond Ukraine’s own borders.
Reactions and Next Steps
In a parallel move on 19 November, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an update to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, delineating conditions for the potential use of nuclear weapons. The document indicates that one such condition is the “launch of ballistic missiles.” This policy adjustment arrives amidst growing tensions following the Biden administration’s policy shift, heightening concerns about escalation in the conflict.
The Ukrainian General Staff commented that operations targeting Russian military storage sites are ongoing, stating, “The neutralisation of ammunition storage facilities for the Russian occupation army, aimed at halting Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, will continue. There will be more to come.”
U.S. Greenlights Ukraine’s Use of Long-Range Missiles Against Russian and North Korean Forces
