Ukraine's missile reach threatens Russian strategic hub
The Rostov region in Russia may be the next target of Ukrainian missile attacks, reports "The Wall Street Journal". This region is a key strategic point for Russian forces.
Russian airports and ammunition depots are at risk following Ukraine's receipt of permission to attack targets within Russia. The Institute for the Study of War identified roughly 200 targets within the range of ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles.
ISW analyst George Barros highlights that Ukraine can strike command centres and mobile targets. The elimination of these command centres could impair Russian military operations.
The American newspaper notes that the Rostov region contains the highest concentration of targets: at least four airports fall within the range of Western missiles, although some are civilian. Moreover, Rostov serves as a regrouping site for soldiers. Troops arrive via military aircraft, are equipped, then loaded onto buses for transportation to Ukraine.
"A strike in the region could be devastating and scatter a key deployment ground for Russian troops," writes the "WSJ".
ukrainian ATACMS and Storm Shadow missile attacks
On Wednesday, Ukrainian armed forces launched British cruise missiles at military targets in Russia for the first time, as reported by Bloomberg. The Storm Shadow missile attacks were approved in response to Russia deploying North Korean troops to the war against Ukraine. According to the agency's sources, the UK government regarded this as an escalation of the conflict.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the BBC, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, reported that Ukraine launched long-range missiles towards Russia provided by the USA. The attack allegedly targeted the Bryansk region. The strike happened shortly after Washington indicated that Ukraine has permission to launch ATACMS towards Russia.
According to the statement, Russia reportedly shot down five missiles and damaged another. The resultant debris is said to have caused a fire at a military facility in the region.
