The AFU launched two ATACMS missile strikes in Kursk region in three days

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have carried out two attacks on facilities in Kursk Region over the past three days using long-range weapons transferred by Western countries - US ATACMS ballistic missiles. This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry on November 26.

"Thus, on November 23, the enemy with five US-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles struck a blow near the settlement of Lotarevka (37 km northwest of Kursk) at the position of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile division," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian military engaged in an anti-missile battle, during which a Pantsir air defense missile and cannon system (SAMS), which was covering the S-400 division, destroyed three long-range projectiles, but two more reached the target. As a result of this attack, Russian army fighters were injured and a radar station (RLS) was damaged.

The second attack took place on November 25. The AFU struck the Kursk-Vostochny airfield near the village of Khalino with ATACMS missiles. Seven missiles were shot down by S-400 SAMs and Pantsir SAMs, but one reached the target. Two military personnel were lightly wounded by shrapnel, and infrastructure facilities suffered minor damage.

The missile impact sites were inspected, and the information that the AFU had used ATACMS was confirmed. The ministry added that it was monitoring the situation and preparing a response.

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The day before, on November 25, the coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, confirmed that Ukraine had permission to use US long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory. He specified that it concerns specific types of targets, among them Kursk Region and nearby territories.

Prior to that, on November 19, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the S-400 SAM and Pantsir SAM systems in the Bryansk region shot down five ATACMS missiles fired by the AFU and damaged another one. The wreckage of the latter fell on the territory of a military facility, without casualties or damage. In addition, the ministry said on November 21 that Russian air defense means shot down two Storm Shadow missiles launched by the Ukrainian side.

On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine had used Western long-range weapons against the Russian state, causing the regional conflict to acquire elements of a global one. He also said that one of Russia's newest medium-range missile systems, the Oreshnik ballistic missile, had been tested under combat conditions.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which began on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.