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What did Russia say about ATACMS missiles?
Summary
A retrospective on the Russian reaction to US long-range missiles and the strikes on Ukrainian cities reported around 20 October 2023.
What did the arrival of long-range US missiles on the battlefield change by 20 October 2023? Within days, it had already drawn a sharp response from Moscow.
On 18 October 2023, Russia said the US decision to supply Ukraine with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles was a "grave mistake" that would have serious consequences. Ukrainian forces had used the missiles in combat for the first time the day before, on 17 October.
The same day, Russian missile strikes hit locations across Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, at least 10 people were killed. Among them were five civilians who died when an apartment building in Zaporizhzhia was struck.
Together, the two developments marked the days before 20 October 2023: a new category of Western weapon in Ukrainian hands, a warning from Moscow about consequences, and continued deadly Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
