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Russia claims air defense shot down 2 ATACMS missiles

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Russia claims air defense shot down 2 ATACMS missiles
U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) firing a missile into the East Sea during a South Korea-U.S. joint missile drill on July 29, 2017. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images)

Russian air defense units downed two long-range Army Tactical Missiles Systems (ATACMS) on Oct. 25, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed.

State media reported that the alleged interception marked the first time Russia's military has shot down the U.S.-made missiles.

The ministry did not specify where the targets were intercepted, but included the information in its daily update on the war in Ukraine.

The claim has not been independently verified at this time.

Ukrainian forces began using U.S.-provided ATACMS on Oct. 17, successfully deploying them in a strike against Russian airfields in occupied territories.

National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Oct. 24 that the long-range weapons "exceeded expectations."

Kyiv has pledged only to use ATACMS against targets within Ukraine's own borders.

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Abbey Fenbert

Senior News Editor

Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.

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