In a devastating blow to Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, a precision-guided ballistic missile strike carried out by Ukrainian forces near the settlement of Kuban has reportedly resulted in significant casualties. The Wednesday attack, which targeted a gathering of Russian troops in an open field, has been described as one of the bloodiest incidents in the wider war.

The Russian soldiers had gathered in the field, apparently for training purposes, feeling relatively safe in an area far beyond the range of Ukraine's typical anti-personnel weapons. However, their confidence proved to be misplaced when the Ukrainian Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) came into play.

ATACMS, an American-made missile renowned for its accuracy, has a range of up to 190 miles and the capability to release hundreds of grenade-size submunitions. As a Ukrainian drone surveilled the area, four ATACMS rockets were launched, leaving only one failing to explode. The remaining three rockets released their lethal submunitions, instantly transforming an area equivalent to 2.5 acres into a deadly kill zone.

According to the Institute for the Study of War in Washington, D.C., one of the ATACMS rockets detonated directly above a group of approximately 116 unprotected Russian soldiers. It is believed that all of the troops may have perished under the rain of submunitions. This incident underscores the poor planning on the part of Russian commanders who, despite being aware of the growing threat posed by ATACMS, failed to take necessary precautions.

Obtaining the ATACMS missiles from the United States and aiming them at vulnerable rear areas of the Russian army has been a top priority for Ukraine in recent months. The United States finally answered these requests, providing Ukraine with a significant number of ATACMS missiles. A shipment of over a hundred rockets arrived before Congress's approval of $61 billion in fresh U.S. aid to Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has pledged further support, stating that the Pentagon would donate as many ATACMS missiles as possible. The urgency in providing these weapons stems partly from the fact that many rockets in the U.S. arsenal are approaching their expiration dates due to rocket fuel degradation.

Reports suggest that the Russian forces should have been aware of the impending ATACMS strike. Ukrainian forces had previously targeted large groups of Russian trainees on training grounds using shorter-range rockets, resulting in numerous casualties earlier this year. Furthermore, when Ukraine received their initial batch of ATACMS missiles, they swiftly deployed them against Russian airfields and destroyed multiple helicopters.

The attack on a Russian air defense battery, specifically an S-400, served as a clear message that Russian air defenses were unable to intercept incoming ATACMS missiles. This development meant that any Russian forces located within 190 miles of the front line were vulnerable to Ukraine's expanding arsenal of ATACMS.

As the investigation into the devastating strike near Kuban continues, it is evident that the Ukrainian forces have gained a significant advantage with the acquisition of ATACMS missiles. The incident serves as a reminder of the shifting dynamics and increasing risks faced by Russian troops in the conflict-ridden region.

As the conflict in eastern Ukraine rages on, it remains to be seen how the deployment of ATACMS and other military developments will shape the course of the wider war.