These images reportedly show American-supplied ATACMS in action in Ukraine for the first time.
The footage reportedly shows one of the long-range missile systems firing ordnance into the night sky.
The images were obtained from Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the evening of Tuesday, 17th October, along with a statement saying: “ATACMS. The work of our soldiers. Thank you for your service! Thanks to partners for their support.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 602nd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 18th October 2023, Russia had lost about 290,050 personnel, 4,981 tanks, 9,420 armoured combat vehicles, 6,944 artillery units, 814 multiple launch rocket systems, 547 air defence systems, 319 warplanes, 323 helicopters, 5,301 drones, 1,534 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,303 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 982 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that his forces have used American-supplied long-range tactical missile systems known as ATACMS.
He said: “Today, special thanks to the United States. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. Very accurately – ATACMS missiles proved themselves.”
Ukrainian forces have hit airfields in Russian-occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine overnight, taking out helicopters and destroying an air defence missile launcher, according to the Ukrainian military. They also reportedly damaged runways.
The strikes reportedly took place near the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk and the southern Ukrainian city of Berdiansk.
China’s President Xi Jinping has welcomed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to Beijing. China is hosting 130 countries for a forum on Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.
American, Japanese and South Korean officials have met in Jakarta to discuss North Korea’s involvement with Russia, including arms transfers in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
