The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed a missile attack on the Taganrog airport, revealing the weakness of Russia's air defense, reports Defense Express.
The Russian Defense Ministry admitted that the Taganrog airport was attacked by ATACMS missiles.
The attack injured military personnel, although the Russians claim there was no damage. However, their announcement of retaliation suggests the damage may have been significant.
A Hit in the 'Eye'
Taganrog has two airports: Taganrog Yuzhny and Taganrog Central. Both are strategically important to Russia.
According to a report by WP Tech, Taganrog Yuzhny is critical due to the production of A-50 aircraft (long-range aerial surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft), while Taganrog Central supports a local repair plant and houses Russian aviation operations.
The Russian military acknowledged that its air defenses failed to repel the attack. This marks the first use of ATACMS missiles by Ukraine against Russian military targets.
The attack may also have struck the Beriev ANTK plant and the 325th Repair Plant.
The Power of ATACMS
The ATACMS missile system, developed in the 1980s, officially entered service in 1991. Operating on a surface-to-surface principle, it was created by the United States as a modern alternative to the MGM-52 Lance missile from the 1960s, which had a maximum range of 120 km.
ATACMS missiles are nearly 4 meters long, with a diameter exceeding 0.6 meters, and weigh approximately 1.7 tons. They feature a powerful warhead weighing 560 kg. The system boasts an operational range of up to 300 km, enabling missiles launched from northeastern Ukraine to reach the vicinity of Moscow.
Due to its range, the MGM-140 is a highly valuable asset that Kyiv is actively seeking in its discussions with the U.S. government. With its operational capabilities, the missiles can not only target areas controlled by Russian forces in Ukraine but also pose a significant threat to Russia itself.
The system's precision is a source of considerable concern for the Russian armed forces.
