The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on the morning of December 11, 2024, Ukraine launched a missile attack on a military airfield in Taganrog (Rostov Oblast) using six American-made ATACMS ballistic missiles. According to the Russian military, two missiles were intercepted by the Pantsir air defense system, and the rest were destroyed by electronic warfare.

The Russian Defense Minister said the attack using Western precision weapons would not go unanswered. The statement stressed that “appropriate measures” would be taken in the near future, which could mean a new launch of the Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic missile, first used by Russia in November 2024. At the time, President Vladimir Putin said the missile was a response to Ukrainian strikes using ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles.

The United States, in turn, assesses the hypersonic missile "Oreshnik" as an effective weapon, but does not consider it capable of changing the course of the conflict, as reported by Reuters. American officials emphasized that Ukraine's actions using Western weapons are fully consistent with the support provided to Kyiv for its defense.

The situation on the battlefield remains extremely tense. Russian troops are showing the greatest progress since the first weeks of the standoff, which, according to experts, could mark the beginning of the final and most dangerous phase of the conflict. At the same time, Kyiv continues to actively use Western weapons to strike Russian military facilities.

US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month, has called for an immediate ceasefire and talks. His comments call into question Washington's long-term support for Ukraine. The US administration of Joe Biden has previously approved the delivery of ATACMS missiles, allowing Ukraine to strike at long ranges.

"On the morning of December 11, 2024, the Kiev regime launched a missile strike with Western precision weapons on the Taganrog military airfield in the Rostov region. During the investigation, it was reliably established that six American-made ATACMS ballistic missiles were used. Two missiles were shot down by the Pantsir air defense missile and gun system crew, the rest were deflected by electronic warfare. As a result of the fall of missile fragments, there are casualties among the personnel. There is no destruction, two buildings in the technical area of ​​the airfield and three units of military vehicles, as well as civilian cars in the parking lot adjacent to the airfield, received minor damage (cut by shrapnel)," – the Russian Ministry of Defense reported earlier.