Ukraine Attacks Crimea with U.S.-Supplied ATACMS Missiles, Russia Claims Six Shot Down

Ukraine has launched an attack on Russian-occupied Crimea using U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), according to Russian officials. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that six of the long-range missiles, which have a range of up to 300 km, were shot down by air defenses over the past 24 hours. The attacks targeted airbases in Dzhankoy and Gvardeyskoye on the Crimean peninsula.

The ATACMS missiles were secretly shipped to Ukraine as part of a $300 million military aid package approved by U.S. President Joe Biden in March. The decision to provide these powerful weapons came after months of debate within the Biden administration, which had initially opposed their deployment due to concerns about escalating the conflict and the potential impact on U.S. military readiness.

Russian military bloggers and pro-Russian officials have confirmed the missile strikes, with one stating that air defense systems had operated in several districts, shooting down at least 10 air targets, including the six ATACMS missiles and two French-made guided "Hammer" bombs. Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-backed head of Crimea, confirmed that the missiles were shot down over the peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Why this matters: The use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles by Ukraine represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as these long-range weapons allow Kyiv to strike deep inside Russian-occupied territory. The attacks on Crimea, a crucial logistics hub for Russia's war effort, could potentially undermine Moscow's military capabilities in the region and impact the course of the war.

Ukraine has not officially commented on the reported attack, but the country has previously vowed to recapture Crimea and has intensified its strikes on the peninsula in recent months. The use of ATACMS missiles, along with other Western-supplied weapons such as the UK's Storm Shadow cruise missiles, has allowed Ukraine to target Russian military assets, including air defense systems, airfields, and the strategically important Crimean Bridge.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that a total of 10 Ukrainian drones, six ATACMS missiles, and two French-made guided "Hammer" bombs were intercepted by air defenses over the past 24 hours. "The Kyiv regime attempted to strike facilities in Crimea under the cover of night," the ministry stated, emphasizing Russia's ability to intercept the incoming missiles.

Key Takeaways

• Ukraine attacked Russian-occupied Crimea using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.
• Russia claims it shot down 6 ATACMS missiles and 2 French-made bombs.
• The ATACMS missiles were secretly shipped to Ukraine as part of a $300M aid package.
• The attack on Crimea represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
• Ukraine has not officially commented on the reported attack, but has vowed to recapture Crimea.