Russia Shoots Down ATACMS Missiles Amid Ongoing Conflict
On Saturday, Russia announced that it successfully intercepted eight ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States. This action comes amid heightened tensions, with Moscow warning that the deployment of these long-range missiles could provoke a hypersonic ballistic missile strike targeting central Kyiv. The ATACMS missiles are capable of reaching distances of up to 190 miles (approximately 300 kilometers), raising concerns over their potential impact in the conflict.
The Russian defense ministry reported that its air defense systems were able to neutralize not only the eight ATACMS missiles but also 72 drones. However, specific details regarding casualties or damage resulting from these interceptions were not disclosed. The Biden administration has been supplying Ukraine with these long-range missiles, allowing strikes deep into Russian territory, which has elicited a stern response from Moscow, including the use of its advanced hypersonic missiles.
Russian Advances in Eastern Ukraine
In conjunction with its missile defense efforts, Russia claimed to have taken control of the Ukrainian village of Nadiia, located in the eastern Lugansk region, which had previously remained under Kyiv’s jurisdiction. This move is part of a broader strategy, as recent analysis by AFP indicated that Russian forces have gained nearly 4,000 square kilometers (about 1,540 square miles) of territory in Ukraine since the beginning of 2024. The ongoing conflict has left Kyiv’s military struggling with manpower shortages and increasing fatigue.
As the situation escalates, both sides have accused each other of perpetrating deadly attacks against civilians. Just earlier on Saturday, a Russian airstrike targeted a village in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine, resulting in the tragic death of a 74-year-old man, as reported by regional governor Oleg Synegubov. These incidents underscore the human toll of the conflict, as both nations grapple with the realities of warfare.
