In a rare acknowledgment, Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that a Ukraine strike using US-supplied Atacms missiles damaged a critical air defense system and an airbase in the Kursk region. The attacks, reported over the weekend, marked a significant escalation in the conflict.
According to the ministry, two out of five missiles bypassed Russian defenses and struck an S-400 air defense missile battalion near Lotarevka, northwest of Kursk. The S-400 is considered Russia’s counterpart to the US Patriot missile system. The strike damaged a radar system and reportedly caused casualties. A second attack targeted the Khalino airbase on Monday, where one of eight missiles breached defenses, causing “insignificant damage.” Russia has since vowed retaliatory measures, with the Defense Ministry asserting it remains in control of the situation.
Photos purportedly showing debris from the attacks were released, and Russian military bloggers corroborated the Khalino airbase assault. Social media videos from Kursk city documented bright flashes in the night sky, allegedly capturing the interception of Atacms missiles. While BBC Verify confirmed the videos were authentic, the source of the flashes remains unverified.
Record Drone Assault on Ukraine Causes Widespread Damage
As tensions rise, Ukraine’s air force reported a record-breaking attack by Russian drones overnight Monday. A total of 188 drones, accompanied by four Iskander missiles, targeted Ukrainian infrastructure. The Ukraine strikes inflicted severe damage, hitting critical infrastructure and residential areas across the country.
Ukraine claimed to have intercepted 76 drones, while another 95 were reportedly “lost track of.” One of the most affected areas was the western Ternopil region, where approximately 70% of the region’s power was knocked out. Despite the damage, Ukraine’s air defenses continue to contend with Russia’s increasingly aggressive aerial campaigns.
Escalation Amid Accusations of Territory Loss and New Weapons
The intensified conflict follows reports that the US recently permitted Ukraine to deploy Atacms missiles inside Russian territory, likely in response to Russia allegedly utilizing North Korean troops. This development coincides with Russia’s deployment of the new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, which targeted Dnipro in Ukraine last week.
Adding to the complexity, an exiled Russian investigative outlet, Agentstvo, claimed that Ukraine is losing territory at the fastest rate since the early stages of the full-scale invasion. However, these territorial gains for Russia remain considerably slower compared to the rapid advances of February and March 2022, when Russian forces approached Kyiv.
With both sides ramping up their use of advanced weaponry and tactics, the conflict continues to escalate, leaving little room for de-escalation. Observers fear that the intensified Ukraine strikes could further strain international relations, particularly with the involvement of US-supplied weaponry.
