Russia Claims to Have Shot Down US-Supplied ATACMS Missiles Launched by Ukraine
Russia claims to have shot down six US-supplied tactical missiles launched by Ukraine near Crimea, escalating tensions in the region amid ongoing conflict. The incident follows recent US arms supply to Ukraine approved by President Joe Biden.
In recent developments, Russia has asserted that it successfully intercepted six tactical missiles, supplied by the United States to Ukraine, near the Black Sea peninsula. The Russian defense ministry stated that it had neutralized these Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets within the last 24 hours. However, specific details regarding the location of the interceptions were not disclosed.
The head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, confirmed one missile interception in the village of Donskoye, situated outside Simferopol, the region's main city. Aksyonov emphasized the scattered submunitions from the intercepted missile, urging caution and advising residents to report any findings to the authorities.
While the incident marked a significant escalation, with air defense operations reported over Simferopol and Dzankoi, there was no immediate confirmation of damage caused by the intercepted missiles in Crimea.
Notably, this interception follows the recent announcement by the United States regarding the supply of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, aimed at bolstering its defense capabilities amidst ongoing tensions with Russia. Ukrainian forces have eagerly awaited these reinforcements, which were approved by President Joe Biden after prolonged delays attributed to political hurdles in Congress.
Despite assertions from Russia, Ukrainian authorities have not issued a formal response to Tuesday's incident. This development underscores the intensifying geopolitical dynamics in the region, with Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression met with heightened military actions and strategic maneuvers.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community closely monitors the repercussions of such escalations on regional stability and diplomatic relations. The interception of US-supplied missiles by Russia underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict and the challenges in finding diplomatic resolutions amidst escalating tensions.