Ukrainian Forces Strike Russian Positions with ATACMS Missiles, Zelensky Confirms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that the Ukrainian armed forces have struck Russian positions with ATACMS long-range missiles for the first time. He made the announcement in an evening video address. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the agreements made with U.S. President Joe Biden are being carried out 'very accurately,' as reported by RTVI.

“Thank you to everyone who fights and works for Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helps. And today, a special thanks to the U.S. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. They are being carried out very accurately. The ATACMS have shown their capabilities,” Zelensky highlighted.

Earlier, on the evening of October 17, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Ukraine has used ATACMS for the first time against Russian military positions. However, it did not specify which targets were hit by the missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine's special operations forces indicated that Ukrainian soldiers attacked the airports in Luhansk and Berdyansk, resulting in 'significant losses' for the Russian troops. Specifically, nine helicopters of various modifications, special equipment, an air defense system, and an ammunition depot were destroyed, while the runways were damaged.

Russian military correspondents have admitted that the Ukrainian armed forces have attacked Berdyansk using American ATACMS missiles. Two anonymous sources also confirmed the use of these missiles by the Ukrainian army to Politico.