Mr. Zelensky said that Ukraine used ATACMS.

Mr Zelensky’s comments came after ATACMS missiles destroyed nine helicopters at Russian bases in the east of the country. The Ukrainian government has not confirmed that the missile was used.

The Ukrainian government said the targets attacked in Berdyansk and Luhansk included an air defense system and other equipment.

They also said dozens of Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in the attack.

“These missiles were extremely accurate. ATACMS has proven itself,” Mr. Zelensky said in his evening speech. He did not provide further information about where and when the missiles were used.

The Russian military has not commented on the incident.

President Biden's office had previously denied providing ATACMS to Ukraine, but CNN quoted two US officials as saying the US government had decided "in recent weeks" to secretly send the missiles.

Washington said it wanted to “surprise” Moscow, avoiding the possibility that Russia would move equipment and weapons out of range before the missiles were delivered to Ukraine.

Due to concerns about tensions with Russia, the missiles provided by the US have a range lower than the maximum range.

The version sent to Kyiv carried a cluster bomb warhead, with hundreds of sub-bombs, instead of a single warhead.

Cluster bombs are controversial weapons that have been banned by 100 countries because of the great risk to civilians.

Vladimir Rogov, the Russian-appointed governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, confirmed that air defense systems “successfully intercepted the missile” in Berdyansk, adding that information on casualties and damage was being calculated and would be provided later.

However, an unverified video posted on a pro-Russian social media account - which it claims was filmed in Berdyansk - shows explosions and missiles flying, and a person nearby reporting that an ammunition depot had been hit.

A Russian blogger wrote about an ATACMS attack on a runway, and described “extremely heavy” damage, both to people and technology.

ATACMS did not appear on the list of military aid to Kyiv released by the US government in September.

Unverified photos posted on social media on Tuesday showed multiple Russian bases being hit with an early version of the MGM-140A ATACMS missile – a shorter-range version of the missile with a range of about 160km.

Kyiv's acquisition of ATACMS significantly improves the Ukrainian military's ability to strike deep into Russian-occupied territories.

World - Mr. Zelensky said Ukraine has used ATACMS — Photo: Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military said the attack was launched in Berdyansk at 01:00 GMT and in Luhansk at 08:00 GMT.

Berdyansk is about 85km from the front line, and is strategically important as it lies between Mariupol and Crimea. Luhansk is about 100km from the front line.

Clashes on the front line have been reported repeatedly, including in the areas around Avdiivka, Kupyansk and Lyman, areas that have been under heavy Russian shelling in recent days.

Ukraine's emergency services say a dormitory has been destroyed in a Russian attack in the eastern town of Slovyansk, with reports that two people are trapped under the rubble.

In Odesa, authorities said debris from the downed Russian drone damaged a building and several yachts, but caused no casualties.

Ukraine has been trying to retake the occupied territories in a counter-offensive, but so far the counter-offensive has progressed rather slowly.

Ukraine has also repeatedly attacked Russian positions in an attempt to undermine Russia's combat capabilities.

Russia is also attacking Ukrainian positions in the east around Avdiivka and Kupyansk, but Ukrainian reports say they have suffered heavy losses in recent days.

Nguyen Quang Minh (According to BBC)

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