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In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. This marks the first reported use of an ICBM in the war, a weapon traditionally designed for long-range nuclear strikes. Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, which targeted key infrastructure, including industrial sites, though there were no reports of nuclear warheads being used.
New video shows Russian ICBM strike against Dnipro this morning.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 21, 2024
It’s the first time in human history that an ICBM has been used in a war.
Incredible footage pic.twitter.com/2xRLjqxGnj
The missile was fired from Astrakhan, a Russian region located over 700 kilometers from Dnipro. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the missile’s characteristics, which align with those of an ICBM, though details on its payload remain unclear. According to reports, it may have been an RS-26 Rubezh, a missile with a range of over 5,800 km, typically capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
While the missile caused some damage in Dnipro, including fires and injuries to two people, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted several other Russian missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic and Kh-101 cruise missiles. However, the use of an ICBM marks a notable shift in Russia’s tactics.
Military analysts suggest that the ICBM launch could be a retaliatory move after Ukraine used Western-supplied missiles, such as British Storm Shadows and U.S. ATACMS, to strike targets inside Russian territory. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such actions would significantly escalate the conflict, and the ICBM may be seen as a direct response to these strikes, signaling Russia’s intention to deter further attacks.
The launch of an ICBM also comes as Moscow has raised its nuclear threat level in response to the broader range of Western weapons being used by Ukraine. Experts believe the missile’s deployment is a show of force, aimed at intimidating Ukraine and signaling to the West that Russia is willing to escalate the conflict, especially as diplomatic efforts for peace have stalled.
The global community is closely watching these developments, as they could mark a dangerous turning point in the war. NATO and the U.S. military have not yet commented on the missile launch, but experts agree that the use of such a weapon in a conventional conflict is unprecedented.
As tensions rise, both sides are preparing for what could be a prolonged and increasingly volatile standoff.
Source: Reuters
