Russia Vows Retaliation After US-Made Missiles Target Belgorod Region
The Russian Ministry of Defense has pledged a response following an attempted missile strike on the Belgorod region, which originated from Ukrainian territory. The incident, involving American-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, was swiftly addressed by Russian air defense systems.
Russian air defense forces, employing the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system and the ‘Pantsir-SM‘ point-defense system, successfully intercepted all incoming ATACMS missiles. According to the Ministry of Defense, this marks the first time these specific missiles have been used in combat.
The incident, which occurred on January 3, is reported to have involved eight ATACMS missiles and 72 drone aircraft of the fixed-wing type, all of which were shot down by Russian air defenses. This latest development comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian authorities have stated that they will retaliate against these actions, which they attribute to the "Kyiv regime" supported by Western backers. The precise nature and timing of the Russian response remain unclear.
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