Russians in a panic: Ukrainians launched attack with powerful weapons?

Reports from X networks indicate that Ukraine attacked Russian air defenses with tactical ballistic missiles at Cape Tarkhankut, in western Crimea.

The profile "War Translate" published a video of messages from Russian channels in which panic reports about the attack that allegedly took place on Saturday night.

"At night, the enemy attacked the air defense system units on Cape Tarhankut with ATACMS missiles, probably with a cluster warhead," the translation reads.

"The enemy is trying to destroy entire areas of air defense; intensified attacks are predicted in Kyiv's attempt to organize informational and combat actions for Victory Day and the inauguration of the commander-in-chief," it said.

On August 23, 2023, Ukraine destroyed the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system at Cape Tarkhankut.

"Given the limited number of such systems in the enemy's arsenal, this is a painful blow to the occupier's air defense system," Ukrainian intelligence officials said.

In April, Ukraine attacked a large Russian airport in Dzhankoy, Crimea. The attack was the first time Ukrainian forces used new ATACMS missiles secretly sent to them by the US.

It is not yet known whether the weapons sent by the US were used in the attack on Cape Tarhankut.

Long-range missiles were sent to Ukraine earlier this year at the request of US President Joe Biden.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the delivery was initially not announced "to maintain the operational security of Ukraine."

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed to reporters last week that a "significant number" of missiles, which can hit targets up to 450 kilometers away, have been delivered to Ukraine.

The Pentagon initially delayed the delivery of the long-range missiles over fears that Ukraine could use them to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, potentially escalating the war.