Ukraine war latest: Western official denies claim Russia fired intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine

Zelenskyy: Russia has deployed a new missile that exhibits features similar to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia launched an attack on Ukraine today using a "new kind" of missile.

"In a statement, Zelenskyy remarked that our eccentric neighbor has once more revealed his true nature, highlighting his disregard for dignity, freedom, and human life as a whole."

"He is so frightened that he has started using new missiles," he said.

The Ukrainian president stated that the missile came from Russia and claimed it possesses all the traits—such as speed and altitude—associated with an intercontinental ballistic missile.

An in-depth examination was currently taking place to determine the missile's type, he mentioned.

This morning, there are mixed reports following the Ukrainian air force's claim that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro.

Nonetheless, a Western official indicated that an intercontinental ballistic missile was not employed during the assault.

The front lines between Ukraine and Russia are now more unstable than they have been at any time since the start of the invasion.

Written by Deborah Haynes, editor focusing on security and defense.

According to UK Defence Secretary John Healey, the situation on the front lines in Ukraine is currently more unstable than it has been since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. He noted that this instability comes as Russia intensifies its offensive, which includes the involvement of at least 10,000 troops from North Korea.

He mentioned that there has been a "notable increase" in aggressive actions from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military.

Mr. Healey mentioned that Moscow is intensifying its assaults on civilian facilities and referred to news reports indicating that Russia has introduced a new kind of ballistic missile targeting Ukraine.

While addressing the Defence Select Committee, he described it as a "critical moment."

"Today, defense intelligence will announce that the frontlines are currently more unstable than they have been since the early stages of the large-scale Russian invasion that began on February 22. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in aggression from Putin and his troops," he stated.

They have increased their assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. They've intensified their strikes on civilian areas, resulting in the deaths of children.

At least 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to the frontline, and there are unverified media reports today suggesting that Russia has launched a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, something they have been getting ready for over the past few months.

The defense secretary was questioned about whether he could verify that the Ukrainian armed forces had, for the first time, launched British-provided Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia.

Mr. Healey mentioned that the UK is intensifying and reinforcing its backing for Ukraine, but he refrained from discussing any specific operational details.

The first snowfall arrives in Kyiv.

These pictures capture the season's first snowfall in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

Winter weather is already impacting the frontlines, making it nearly impossible to conduct large-scale operations.

"Seems illogical": Arms specialist shares opinion on ICBM assertion.

A Russian analyst and nuclear weapons specialist has expressed his views on why he believes it’s improbable that Moscow would deploy an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Dnipro this morning, contrary to claims made by the Ukrainian air force.

Pavel Podvig, a researcher at the Center for Arms Control Studies at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, remarked that using an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on a target that is so near "doesn't really add up."

"The distance between Kapustin Yar and Dnipro is roughly 800 kilometers. That's not considered an intercontinental range," he stated.

ICBMs are classified as ballistic missiles with a range exceeding 5,500 kilometers.

Initial reports from Ukraine suggested that the missile involved was an RS-26.

However, Podvig points out that the Russian RS-26 missile project was put on hold in 2018.

"It's possible that RS-26 was brought back into service for an attack, but this would suggest that Russia has kept several of these missiles in reserve for nearly a decade," he stated.

"While it's not out of the question, it’s quite improbable."

He also pointed out that a lot of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) have a required minimum distance they need to cover...

Additionally, there has been no indication that Moscow gave Washington prior notice of the strike, which is stipulated as necessary in a 1988 agreement between the US and the Soviet Union.

"The Agreement requires that there be a notification at least 24 hours beforehand regarding the scheduled date, launch site, and affected areas for any ICBM or SLBM launch. It also specifies that these notifications should be sent through the Nuclear Risk Reduction Centres. The Agreement became effective on the day it was signed."

The U.S. State Department has addressed the agreement regarding notifications for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs).

Podvig concluded his remarks by stating, "I encourage everyone to remain calm and not jump to the conclusion that 'intercontinental' is automatically and immediately a threat."

"However, it’s important to approach this matter with seriousness. People need to be careful when making assertions or sending and interpreting messages."

Photos: Firefighters combat fire in Dnipro

These photos were taken in the Dnipro area following a Russian strike earlier today.

Local authorities reported fires soon after Ukraine's air force announced that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting Dnipro.

In our previous post, we mentioned that a Western official has stated that Ukraine's allegations are not accurate and that Russia did not launch any intercontinental ballistic missiles today.

Official states that the weapon used in the Dnipro attack is not an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Here's an update on the Dnipro attack.

A Western official has recently stated that the weapon involved in the attack was not an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

This directly opposes what the Ukrainian air force stated earlier today, asserting that an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) hit Dnipro, leading to fires. (For more details on the Ukrainian assertions, click here.)

The Associated Press reported that this would have been the first instance of an ICBM being deployed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, the official's remarks raised questions about whether this was actually true.

A Western official confirmed that the weapon in question was a ballistic missile but chose not to share any additional information.

We still haven't received any official confirmation regarding whether the weapon used was an ICBM or not.

Explained: What are Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)?

Kyiv reports that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine earlier today.

According to the Associated Press, this would mark the first instance of an intercontinental ballistic missile being utilized in this conflict.

So, what exactly are they?

ICBMs are long-range missiles that can travel over 5,500 kilometers (or 3,418 miles).

Their main purpose is to transport nuclear weapons.

Nuclear warheads can be attached to the missile, along with traditional warheads, as well as chemical and biological weapons.

The only nations that are known to possess functioning intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) include the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, China, France, India, and North Korea.

They are different from cruise missiles because they start off being propelled by rockets, while cruise missiles rely on jet engines for their propulsion.

Initial reports from Ukraine indicate that the missile utilized this morning was the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM.

It hasn't been independently verified that this was the weapon involved.

Similar to other intercontinental ballistic missiles, its main function is to transport a nuclear warhead to a specific target. However, there are no indications that nuclear weapons were employed in Dnipro this morning, and we still haven't received confirmation that an ICBM was actually used.

The RS-26 Rubezh underwent successful testing in 2012, reaching a distance of 5,800 kilometers (3,604 miles), but there are indications that it could potentially reach up to 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles).

It has a weight of around 40 to 50 tons and is launched from a platform on the ground.

Kremlin remains silent on the 'ICBM attack' issue.

The Kremlin has chosen not to respond to allegations from Ukraine stating that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Dnipro area this morning (for further information, refer to the post at 8:07 am).

When asked for a comment regarding the Russian military, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded, "At the moment, I don’t have anything to add on this matter."

He also chose not to respond when asked if British Storm Shadow missiles struck Russian territory yesterday.

"The decision to comment on these matters lies with the [Russian] ministry of defense," he stated.

Russia has intercepted Storm Shadow missiles, according to the defense ministry.

The Russian defense ministry asserts that Moscow has intercepted and destroyed two Storm Shadow missiles that were supplied by Britain.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence reported that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed two Storm Shadow cruise missiles manufactured in Britain, six HIMARS rockets from the United States, and 67 drones.

The announcement did not specify the location where the missiles were intercepted.

There has been no response regarding the allegations from either Ukraine or the UK.

This follows reports that long-range missiles provided by the British were reportedly used on Russian territory for the first time yesterday.

We'll share updates with you as we receive them.

Russia is prepared to pursue a 'practical peace', according to statements from its foreign ministry.

Russia has reiterated its willingness to engage in "practical" peace discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In line with earlier statements, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, stated that Moscow is open to discussions, but insists that any talks must consider their interests.

"We are willing to discuss possibilities and are open to evaluating any practical initiative that isn't tied to political agendas," Zakharova stated.

I want to stress once more that the main focus should be on considering our country's interests, the present circumstances, and ensuring that all relevant agreements are honored.

Many sources have indicated that Russia is willing to talk about a ceasefire agreement regarding Ukraine with Donald Trump. However, Vladimir Putin seems to have dismissed the idea of offering significant territorial concessions and is determined that Kyiv should give up its aspirations to join NATO.