Rostov Oblast in crosshairs amid Ukrainian missile range expansion
The Rostov Oblast in Russia could be the next target for Ukrainian missile attacks, reports "The Wall Street Journal." This region is crucial for Russian forces.
Russian airports and ammunition depots are at risk after Ukraine received permission to target locations in Russia. The Institute for the Study of War has identified around 200 targets within the ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles range.
ISW analyst George Barros emphasizes that Ukraine can attack command posts and mobile targets. Eliminating command centres could hinder Russian operations.
The American journal notes that Rostov Oblast hosts the largest concentration of targets: at least four airports are within the range of Western missiles, although some are civilian. Additionally, Rostov is a regrouping point for soldiers. They arrive on military aircraft, are equipped, loaded onto buses, and transported to Ukraine.
An attack on the region could be devastating and disrupt a key staging area for Russian troops, writes the "WSJ".
Ukrainian attacks with ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian armed forces launched British cruise missiles towards military targets in Russia for the first time, according to Bloomberg. As reported, the attacks using Storm Shadow missiles were approved in response to Russia sending North Korean troops to support its efforts against Ukraine. According to the agency's source, the UK government recognized this move as an escalation of the conflict.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the BBC, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, stated that Ukraine fired long-range missiles supplied by the USA towards Russia. The attack was reported to have occurred in the Bryansk Oblast. The strike occurred shortly after Washington signified that Ukraine had permission to launch ATACMS toward Russia.
According to the statement, Russia allegedly shot down five missiles and damaged one. The debris from the interception supposedly caused a fire in a military facility in that region.
