The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that Ukraine has, for the first time, launched ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States at Russian territory.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry reported that Ukraine "struck with six ballistic missiles at a target in the Bryansk region."
"According to confirmed data, American-made operational-tactical missiles 'ATACMS' were used," the statement said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense shot down five missiles and damaged another: "Its fragments fell onto the technical area of a military facility in the Bryansk region, causing a fire that was promptly extinguished. There are no casualties or damage."
Euronews was unable to independently verify these claims.
RelatedOn Tuesday, several Ukrainian media outlets reported that, according to undisclosed military sources, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military facility in the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region with missiles supplied by the U.S.
If confirmed, this strike would mark the first instance of Ukraine using ATACMS missiles manufactured and supplied by the U.S. on Russian territory since Washington lifted its restrictions a few days ago.
Ukrainian officials assert that Ukraine hit a Russian weapons depot located about 110 km from the border, but they have not specified what type of weapons were used.
Earlier, commenting on Washington's decision to lift restrictions on the use of ATACMS, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "the missiles will speak for themselves."
What restrictions were lifted?
Washington lifted restrictions on the use of ATACMS in response to North Korea's involvement in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It remains unclear whether the U.S.-supplied long-range missiles can be used throughout Russia, in border regions, or only in the Kursk area, where more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed.
Confirmation of the statement regarding the first Ukrainian ATACMS strike in the Bryansk region would imply that the restrictions have been lifted not only for the Kursk region but also for all border areas of Russia.
According to the Washington-based analytical center "Institute for the Study of War" (ISW), at least 245 known Russian military and paramilitary sites fall within the range of Ukrainian ATACMS, particularly its 300-kilometer variant.
Russian officials have long employed threatening rhetoric in their efforts to deter the U.S. and other allies of Ukraine from lifting restrictions on long-range missiles, labeling it an "escalation."
On Tuesday, just hours after the reported attack in Bryansk, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving an updated nuclear doctrine, altering the parameters for when Russia may use nuclear weapons.
The updated document now states that any aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear power, will be considered a joint attack.
RelatedThis U.S. permission is a rather mild response to the Kremlin's escalatory introduction of North Korean troops as active participants in Russia's war against Ukraine, considering that both Moscow and Pyongyang are nuclear powers, according to ISW.