Ukraine's ATACMS strikes spark fears in Bryansk region
In Bryansk Oblast, a series of powerful explosions suggests the use of potent weapons such as the MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles. This is not the first time this weapon has been used in the Bryansk region. Here is what the Ukrainians might have been targeting and with what.
On Russian Telegram channels, there is a lot of information about strong explosions in Bryansk Oblast. Additionally, the first recordings are emerging, indicating the use of something with significant destructive power by Ukrainians. In the case of the Ukrainian arsenal, these could be Storm Shadow cruise missiles or MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles.
It is worth noting that Bryansk Oblast was already shelled with ATACMS in November 2024. Some analysts, based on geolocated points from online recordings, suggest that the target might have been the nearby 120th GRAU arsenal.
Another possibility could be the chemical plants in Bryansk, named after the 50th anniversary of the USSR, in the village of Selco, which are involved in the production of rocket fuel. In any case, confirmation will have to wait until satellite images of the region or the targeted facilities are available.
MGM-140 ATACMS — Old technology from the USA, the nightmare of Russians
Ukraine is effectively using American MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles, which were developed in the 1990s. So far, Ukrainians have mainly used M39 missiles, characterized by a range of 100 miles and containing 950 M74 APAM bomblets. They have targeted systems like the S-300/400 batteries or training grounds, and targets in Bryansk Oblast are within their range.
There is also the possibility that Ukrainians have recently received M39A1 versions, which can cover a distance of up to 186 miles and are additionally equipped with satellite navigation as a supplement to inertial navigation. Alternatively, they could be models from the M48, M57, or M57E1 series, equipped with a heavy WAU-23/B warhead, weighing about 441 pounds, making them better suited for destroying fortified structures.
An advantage of ATACMS missiles is their ability to reach speeds of up to Mach 3, or 2,299 mph. Such high speed combined with the short distance means that even the newest Russian anti-ballistic systems, like the S-400 Triumf, struggle to intercept them.
