Russia Vows Retaliation After Intercepting 8 ATACMS Missiles and 72 Drones in Belgorod Region

Jan 4, 2025, 11:05 AM

Russia has vowed to retaliate after it reported intercepting eight U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and 72 drones launched by Ukraine targeting the Belgorod region on January 3. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the missiles were downed by S-400 and Pantsir-SM air defense systems. The ministry warned that these actions by Kyiv, supported by Western backers, would face retaliation. The ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 300 kilometers, were authorized for use by Ukraine by the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden in November, a move Moscow considers a significant escalation in the conflict.