Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, Kiev's air force said. It was the first known use of a weapon with such destructive power in the 33-month-old war. The weapon can carry a nuclear warhead and can reach thousands of kilometers, although there is no indication that the Russians used a nuclear warhead in the attack.
The Air Force statement came after recent Ukrainian strikes with missiles supplied by the United States and Britain, targeting targets inside Russian territory. Moscow had warned that it would consider such actions a significant escalation in the conflict that began in February 2022. So far, the Russian government has not commented on Ukraine's statements.
ICBMs are strategic weapons essential to Russia’s nuclear deterrence. Despite their devastating capabilities, the Ukrainian Air Force did not specify the type of missile fired or its payload. The Air Force did not disclose what the missile’s target was or whether it caused direct damage.
Attacks in Dnipro and use of advanced weaponry intensify conflict
The general attack, on the other hand, focused on the city of Dnipro in east-central Ukraine, targeting businesses and critical infrastructure. According to regional governor Serhiy Lysak, the attack targeted an industrial enterprise, causing fires and injuring two people.
In addition, Russia fired, in addition to the ICBM, a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles. However, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that it shot down six of these missiles.
According to official statements, “an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation,” the Air Force said, without detailing the model or specifications of the weapon.
However, Ukrainian defense consultancy Defense Express raised doubts about communication between Russia and the United States, Kiev's main international ally. In this regard, it stated: "It is essential to know whether the United States was informed in advance about the launch and its direction. The lack of warning could trigger missile warning systems and even provoke defensive responses," the organization highlighted in a note.
Source: Anastasiia Malenko and Tom Balmforth | Notícias Agrícolas
