Five of Six Ukrainian ATACMS Missiles Targeting Russia’s Bryansk Destroyed: Kremlin

Russia claims to have intercepted five out of six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine, narrowly averting a strike near the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region early this morning.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that the Defense Forces targeted a logistics center of Russian troops near the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region, without disclosing the weapon used. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that an attack involving ATACMS occurred at 3:25 a.m., with S-400 and Pantsir air defense systems neutralizing most of the incoming missiles. One missile was damaged, and its fragments caused "a fire at a military facility's technical zone."

Located near the city of Karachev, 115 km from the Russian-Ukrainian border, is the 67th arsenal of the Main Directorate of Missile Artillery (GRAU) of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

This development comes shortly after U.S. approval for Kyiv to use longer-range weapons against Russian targets. ATACMS, known for their high cost and ballistic trajectory, are considered difficult to intercept. The Biden administration's decision to supply these weapons sparked debate, with critics warning of escalation risks and supporters emphasizing Ukraine's need for advanced systems.

Earlier today, the U.S. stated it would retain most of its ATACMS stockpile, citing high costs and limited supply, while Russia relocated airfields beyond their range. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh explained that the U.S., through presidential drawdown authorities, provides Ukraine with weapons, including ATACMS, but must prioritize its own readiness.

The missiles, built by Lockheed Martin, cost approximately $1.5 million each and are being replaced by the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in U.S. arsenals.

The ranges of weapon systems used by Ukraine and Russia vary depending on the munitions supplied. Ukraine employs ATACMS ballistic missiles with a range of up to 300 km, HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems with an 80 km range, and M777 howitzers capable of reaching 40 km. On the Russian side, Iskander SS-26 ballistic missiles have a range of 500 km, Tornado-S multiple-launch rocket systems reach up to 120 km, and 2A36 Giatsint-B howitzers also have a range of 40 km.

Ukraine was expected to use ATACMS to defend its position in Kursk where North Korean troops have joined the war, targeting Russian military bases and infrastructure. While unlikely to decisively change the war's outcome, the missiles could stretch Russian supply lines and improve Ukrainian morale.

Russian officials have warned that U.S.-backed strikes on its territory risk escalating the conflict. President Vladimir Putin has indicated that such actions could provoke significant consequences, including revisions to Russia's nuclear doctrine. Putin has also issued a direct nuclear threat to Western nations, warning that any conventional military attack on Russia, supported by a nuclear power, could provoke a nuclear response.

A top Kremlin official responded assertively to the news of permission for ATACMS strikes inside Russia, "Permission for American missile strikes deep into Russia is an unprecedented step that leads to the start of the third world war, Russia's response will be immediate," First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov.