Ukraine launched US-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian territory this week — the first confirmed strikes of their kind — after Washington quietly allowed Kyiv to use the long-range weapons for attacks across the border, Ukrainian and Russian officials said.
Kyiv’s General Staff announced Monday that it had deployed the precision-guided missiles “against military targets on Russian territory,” calling the capability a “significant development” that would continue in future operations.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine have successfully employed ATACMS tactical missile systems to deliver a precision strike on military targets on the territory of russia,” the General Staff wrote in a post to X. “This is a landmark event that underscores Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to its sovereignty.”
Four ATACMS were fired toward the southern city of Voronezh on Tuesday, claiming all were intercepted by S-400 and Pantsir air-defense systems, Russian officials said in a post to Telegram.
The Kremlin further alleged that its forces destroyed two Ukrainian ATACMS launch vehicles in Kharkiv Oblast during retaliatory strikes with Iskander-M — a claim that could not be independently confirmed.
Ukraine offered no additional details on the targets hit, but stressed the strikes were “precision” operations aimed at legitimate military infrastructure.
The strikes come nearly a year after the US lifted restrictions barring Ukraine from using American long-range missiles for attacks inside Russia. For months prior, former President Joe Biden had limited Kyiv to firing ATACMS only within Ukrainian territory despite repeated pleas for expanded latitude.
The Trump administration had intermittently slowed or blocked certain long-range strike requests, with reports indicating that Pentagon approval was required for cross-border missile operations.
This week’s launches signal that those limitations appear to have loosened — at least for now.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Western-provided long-range weapons used on its territory would be treated as direct Western involvement in the conflict.
Kyiv argues the strikes are necessary to target bases, airfields and supply hubs launching attacks on Ukrainian cities.
In recent weeks, Kyiv has had success attacking Russian energy infrastructure with Ukrainian-made missiles. Those strikes have helped President Trump’s sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil oil companies have even more of an effect on Moscow’s economy.
The US has not publicly confirmed the latest missile use, but the development underscores a shift in how Ukraine is waging the war — striking deeper, faster and farther than at any point since Russia’s invasion began.
Kyiv’s military said the long-range capability would “continue,” suggesting more cross-border strikes are coming.
