Ukraine launched six US-made ATACMS missiles targeting Russia's Bryansk region, according to Russia's Defense Ministry on Tuesday. The strike comes shortly after US President Joe Biden relaxed restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons, marking a significant shift as the war reaches its 1,000-day milestone.

Ukrainian military officials claim they hit a weapons depot in Bryansk overnight, though details about the specific arms used were not disclosed. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that multiple explosions reverberated through the targeted site.

Russia's Defense Ministry responded by announcing that its forces intercepted five of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles and partially damaged another. The debris reportedly landed on a nearby military facility, causing a fire but no injuries or structural damage.

These developments follow Biden's authorization allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, lifting some previous restrictions on longer-range US missile systems. 

The decision to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles has been a contentious issue since the war in Ukraine began, with some Pentagon officials concerned about limited US supplies, while White House officials feared escalating the war by supplying the missiles.

Supporters of a tougher stance on Russia argue that Biden’s cautious approach has hindered Ukraine’s battlefield success, while others believe it has helped avoid direct Russian retaliation.

Ukraine in trouble

As Russia intensifies its offensive in Kursk, US officials are increasingly concerned about Ukraine’s strained military, and Biden's policy shift may be motivated by fears that Donald Trump will end US support for Ukraine.

Trump criticized Zelensky's relationship with the Biden administration, labeling him "the greatest salesman in history" for securing billions in aid from Biden's administration.

The US has been Ukraine's largest donor since the outbreak of the war in 2022, with Congress allocating tens of billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid. Moscow has consistently condemned this support, arguing that it prolongs the conflict and will not alter the outcome.

While this decision enhances Ukraine's military capabilities, analysts suggest it is unlikely to be a game-changer due to the limited supply of ATACMS and their relatively short range compared to Russia’s vast geographical expanse. The missiles, with a maximum range of 300 kilometers (190 miles), are expected to target high-value Russian military sites. Reports indicate that Russian airfields within range of these missiles have already relocated attack aircraft further inside Russian territory.

Despite these new capabilities, Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to penetrate Russian defenses with domestically produced drones, which have caused significant disruption at Moscow’s airports and within its energy infrastructure, the analysis notes.

However, the report overlooks significant internal challenges facing Ukraine, such as troop shortages and corruption scandals within its military and government. Speaking to Ukrainskoye Radio on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the strain on exhausted brigades at the frontlines and the difficulties in mobilizing adequately trained reinforcements.