Ukraine gains new combat capabilities. Zelensky: We have ATACMS. We will use them

During Tuesday’s meeting with journalists, the President of Ukraine openly declared his readiness to use them.

“Now we have ATACMS, Ukrainian long-range capabilities, we will use them,” he said, referring to reports of an attack in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast.

Thus, the Ukrainian leader confirmed earlier information provided by Reuters and other international press agencies.

Zelensky confirms: Now we have ATACMS, we will use them

ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles are advanced operational-tactical missiles that enable precise attacks on targets located up to 300 km away. The transfer of these missiles to Ukraine by the United States is a significant step towards strengthening Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities.

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, Brian Nichols, explained that the decision to supply these weapons was carefully considered.

“The weapons that President Biden has authorized Ukraine to use will give it a greater ability to defend itself and hopefully allow the Russian Federation to understand that the use of force to occupy Ukrainian territory will not be successful,” Nichols said in an interview with the O Globo daily. “.

First use: attack in Bryansk Oblast

On Tuesday morning, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a missile attack on a military facility in the Bryansk Oblast. According to the statement, Ukrainian forces fired six ATACMS missiles, five of which were to be intercepted by Russian air defense. One rocket hit the target, causing damage, although details remain unclear.

These reports are difficult to verify, but they confirm that ATACMS have already been used in warfare.

When asked about this event, Zelensky did not reveal details, but his words clearly indicate Kiev’s determination to take advantage of new opportunities.

“Any weapon we receive is only used to defend our country and protect our people,” added the Ukrainian president.

What does ATACMS mean for Ukraine?

The delivery of ATACMS changes the balance of power on the front. Thanks to the range and precision of these missiles, Ukraine has gained the ability to strike strategic targets far behind the front line. These may be ammunition depots, military bases, airports or transport hubs. Previously, Ukraine relied mainly on short-range systems such as HIMARS, which were also supplied by the US.

According to military experts, ATACMS is a response to the needs of the Ukrainian army, which in the face of a long-term conflict must look for ways to neutralize Russia’s numerical advantage.

“This is a weapon that allows you to take the initiative and weaken Russia’s offensive potential,” says Gen. Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe.

Russia’s reactions

Russia responded to reports about ATACMS by emphasizing the effectiveness of its air defense systems. A statement from the Ministry of Defense states that most of the missiles have been destroyed, which is intended to reassure Russian public opinion. However, independent analysts indicate that even a single successful attack using ATACMS may have strategic importance.

The Kremlin fears that the use of American missiles on Russian territory will become the new norm. Russian propaganda media are trying to minimize the importance of these weapons, but the fact is that ATACMS poses a serious challenge to Russian defense systems.

Prospects for further activities

Volodymyr Zelensky’s declaration on the use of ATACMS proves Ukraine’s growing confidence in the context of conducting military operations. The transfer of these missiles is not only technical support, but also a political signal that the US and its allies are ready to increase pressure on Russia.

Experts predict that the next weeks may bring intensification of fighting, especially at key points on the front. ATACMS, as part of the deterrence strategy, may force Russia to change its tactics and further disperse its resources.

“Now we have ATACMS, we will use them” – these words of Volodymyr Zelensky herald a new phase in the war with Russia. Long-range missiles provided by the United States give Ukraine the ability to precisely strike strategic targets while increasing pressure on the Kremlin. As the history of the conflict shows, each such step changes the dynamics of warfare, opening up new opportunities but also posing new challenges.