Official announcements from the Russian or Ukrainian governments or reports from international diplomatic organizations

Russia Intercepts Eight US-Made ATACMS Missiles Fired at Belgorod, Warns of Hypersonic Strikes on Kyiv

Jan 4, 2025, 11:30 AM

Russia's Defense Ministry announced that it intercepted eight US-made ATACMS missiles launched by Ukraine towards the Belgorod region. The missiles were reportedly shot down by S-400 and Pantsir-SM air defense systems. Moscow warned that the use of ATACMS missiles could prompt a hypersonic ballistic missile attack on central Kyiv, and vowed retaliation for the attempted strikes. The use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles represents an escalation in the conflict, as these long-range missiles can strike deep into Russian territory.