Russia has confirmed that a critical S-400 air defense missile system and the Khalino air base in the Kursk region were targeted by Ukraine using US-supplied Atacms missiles. This rare admission by Moscow follows Ukraine’s announcement of successful strikes on key Russian targets over the weekend.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that two of the five Atacms missiles launched by Ukraine on Saturday penetrated their defenses, damaging a radar system and causing unspecified casualties at the S-400 battalion in Lotarevka. The S-400 system is among Russia’s most advanced air defense weapons, comparable to the US Patriot system.
In a subsequent attack on Monday, Ukraine targeted the Khalino air base, reportedly causing “insignificant damage” despite eight missiles being launched. The Ministry acknowledged damage to the air base and warned of impending retaliatory measures. Photographs of debris from the strike were shared, though independent verification remains limited.
Ukrainian military sources highlighted that these strikes represent the first use of Atacms missiles on Russian soil, a move reportedly approved by the US following Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops. The missiles were said to be deployed in response to Russia’s use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile on Dnipro last week.
Tensions escalated further as Ukraine faced an unprecedented aerial assault from Russia. On Monday night, Ukraine’s air force reported a record 188 drone attacks alongside four Iskander missile strikes. While 76 drones were intercepted, others hit critical infrastructure and residential areas. The western Ternopil region experienced extensive power outages, with 70% of electricity disrupted, according to local officials.
Amid the escalating conflict, reports from the exiled Russian investigative news website Agentstvo claim Ukraine is currently losing territory at the fastest pace since the early days of the invasion in 2022. Despite this, Russian advances remain far slower than during the initial phase of the war, when forces approached Kyiv.
The situation underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, with both sides leveraging advanced weaponry to gain strategic advantages. Moscow’s admission of damage from Atacms strikes highlights a new phase of vulnerability for its military infrastructure.