欧美文化:Russia says Ukraine attacked its airbase with U.S. missiles

MOSCOW, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian forces on Wednesday launched a missile strike with Western high-precision weapons on the Taganrog military airfield in Russia's Rostov region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Six U.S.-made ATACMS ballistic missiles were used, the ministry noted, adding that two of them were shot down and the rest were deflected by Russian electronic warfare systems.

Falling missile fragments caused casualties among the personnel, the ministry said.

"This attack by Western long-range weapons will not go unanswered, and appropriate measures will be taken," it added.

In a major shift of policy on the Ukraine crisis, the United States in November authorized Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles to strike targets inside Russia's territory. Russia has repeatedly called it an escalation of tension around the conflict.