Russia Prepares Response after Ukrainian ATACMS Strikes

The Russian Ministry of Defense has warned of potential countermeasures in response to recent Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes using American-made ATACMS missiles on targets in the Kursk region.

According to today's statement from the ministry, the situation is being closely monitored, and "response actions are being prepared."

U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use American long-range missiles for strikes deep within Russian territory. Subsequently, both the U.K. and France granted similar permissions for the use of their Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly launched two missile strikes over the past three days. On November 23, five ATACMS missiles were fired at the position of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile division in Lotarevka, located 37 km northwest of Kursk. Russian air defense systems managed to intercept three of the missiles, but two reached their target, damaging radar equipment and causing casualties among the personnel.

On November 25, Ukrainian forces launched a second strike, this time with eight ATACMS missiles targeting the Kursk-Vostochny airfield near the settlement of Khalino. Seven missiles were intercepted using S-400 and Pantsir systems, but one missile hit its target, causing slight damage to infrastructure and injuring two servicemen with falling debris.

Additionally, the Russian Ministry reported that Moscow had tested its medium-range missile system, Oreshnik, in response to earlier strikes on Russian territory.