KYIV — Ukraine Targets Russian Territory Using US ATACMS Missiles on War's 1,000th Day
Ukraine deployed US-provided ATACMS missiles on November 19 to strike Russian territory, following approval from the outgoing Biden administration. The attack marks a significant escalation in the conflict as the war reaches its 1,000th day.
Russia reported intercepting five out of six missiles targeting a military site in the Bryansk region. The sixth missile caused a fire at the facility, which was quickly contained without any casualties or substantial damage. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed to have struck a Russian arms depot 110 kilometers inside Russian territory, resulting in secondary explosions. Although Ukraine’s military did not confirm the weapons used, US and Ukrainian officials verified the use of ATACMS missiles.
A US official stated that two of the eight missiles launched were intercepted by Russia, targeting an ammunition depot. Biden’s recent approval for Ukraine to utilize the longest-range missiles supplied by the US prompted sharp criticism from Russia, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calling it an escalation backed by the West. Moscow argued that such strikes require direct US support, potentially implicating Washington as a combatant and provoking Russian retaliation.
As Ukraine commemorated 1,000 days of conflict with a fifth of its territory under Russian control, international calls for peace were reiterated. At the United Nations, Ukraine’s ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, alongside representatives from 42 nations and the EU, condemned Russia’s annexations and demanded the withdrawal of its forces.
Military analysts believe the use of ATACMS could bolster Ukraine’s position in contested regions like Kursk, but they doubt the move will significantly change the war’s trajectory. The ATACMS missile has a range of up to 300 kilometers, far shorter than Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which can travel up to 2,000 kilometers.
On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons to counter threats to Russia’s territorial integrity. Washington dismissed the new doctrine as predictable and criticized it as further “irresponsible rhetoric.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the doctrine, stating it signaled a lack of interest in peace.
Meanwhile, the US State Department approved an additional $100 million in military aid to Ukraine, with Denmark pledging another $138 million to support Ukraine’s arms industry.
Trump’s Criticism of US Aid and Prospects of Peace Talks
Former US President Donald Trump, poised to return to the White House, has criticized the extent of US aid to Ukraine and pledged to end the conflict swiftly, though without specifying how. Both Ukraine and Russia anticipate his administration may push for renewed peace talks in early 2025. Zelensky stressed the importance of securing Ukraine’s position before such negotiations, urging parliament to remain resolute in the fight for freedom and democracy.
In Kyiv, citizens and soldiers gathered for a candle-lit vigil, mourning the toll of the war. The United Nations reported that over 12,000 civilians, including 2,400 children, have been killed, with nearly 27,000 injured since the invasion began. Military casualties on both sides remain staggering, with estimates in the hundreds of thousands.
The war has also displaced over six million Ukrainians, reducing the country’s population by a quarter. While Ukraine initially regained significant territory, the conflict has since devolved into devastating trench warfare in the east.
In recent developments, Russia deployed 11,000 North Korean troops to support its campaign, with some reportedly clashing with Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Moscow also renewed its aerial attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, launching the largest strike since August.
Stalemate in Negotiations
Negotiations remain at a standstill, with Ukraine demanding a full Russian withdrawal and security guarantees akin to NATO’s mutual defense pact. Russia insists Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions and accept Russia’s annexation of occupied territories. As winter approaches, the prospects for a resolution appear increasingly distant.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file
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