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Breaking News: Ukraine Uses US-Made ATACMS Missiles Against Targets in Russia for First Time.
On November 19, 2024, Ukraine launched at least six ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles, supplied by the United States, at an arms depot in Russia's Bryansk region, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense. Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the strike, which marks a strategic turning point two days after Washington announced a shift in its policy regarding these weapons. Russia claimed that five missiles were intercepted by S-400 and Pantsir air defense systems, with one reportedly damaged.
Ukraine received its first shipment of ATACMS in October 2023 and used the missiles on October 17, 2023, to strike Russian military facilities in Berdiansk and Luhansk, destroying helicopters and ammunition depots (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
The MGM-140 ATACMS is a short-range tactical ballistic missile designed in the 1980s by Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) and entered U.S. Army service in 1991. It features solid-fuel propulsion and a GPS/INS guidance system, providing a range between 160 and 300 km, depending on the variant, and delivering precision with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters. The missile can carry unitary warheads or cluster munitions, allowing it to target strategic objectives such as command centers, air defense systems, and military infrastructure while minimizing collateral damage. Launched from M270 MLRS tracked vehicles or M142 HIMARS wheeled platforms, the ATACMS operates effectively at altitudes of 50–65 km, making it challenging for most air defense systems to intercept.
Ukraine received its first shipment of ATACMS in October 2023 and used the missiles on October 17, 2023, to strike Russian military facilities in Berdiansk and Luhansk, destroying helicopters and ammunition depots. Since then, Ukraine has employed the system to target strategic assets, including airbases and logistics hubs in occupied territories. While the exact number of missiles delivered has not been disclosed, estimates suggest approximately 20 units. For months, Ukraine lobbied for U.S. permission to strike targets within Russian territory, which was granted on November 17, 2024, as Russian forces bolstered their presence near the border with 10,000 North Korean elite troops deployed in the Kursk region to counter Ukrainian advances.
Ukraine’s military confirmed the November 19 strike, stating that it caused "fire damage" to Russian ammunition warehouses in Karachev, approximately 70 km from the Ukrainian border and 110 km southwest of Kursk. According to a statement by Ukraine’s General Staff, the attack led to "12 secondary explosions and detonations," emphasizing the strike's effectiveness. The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, downplayed the incident, asserting that most of the missiles were intercepted. Despite these claims, the reported scale of explosions suggests significant damage to the target.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine, broadening the conditions under which nuclear weapons could be used. The decree declares that any conventional attack conducted with the support of a nuclear power may be treated as a joint assault, potentially justifying a nuclear response. This policy shift, announced amidst increasing U.S. support for Ukraine, underscores heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Internationally, this development has reignited debates on U.S.-Russia relations. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, accused the United States of escalating the conflict, reiterating that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to conventional aggression against its territory. Experts predict that Ukraine may initially focus these new capabilities on the Kursk region before expanding to other strategic areas.
The timing of this policy change by the Biden administration coincides with the recent election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. While the current administration remains in office until January, the decision to authorize Ukraine's use of ATACMS against Russia may reflect an effort to secure a strong U.S. stance on Ukraine before a potential policy shift under Trump. Known for his less confrontational rhetoric toward Russia and calls for a swift resolution to the war, Trump’s incoming administration has raised questions about future U.S. military aid to Ukraine. By solidifying Ukraine’s strategic position now, the Biden administration may aim to ensure Kyiv retains a critical advantage in the conflict.