Russia launches 'intercontinental ballistic missile' for first time in Ukraine war
Kyiv's air force reports that Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time since the beginning of Vladimir Putin's conflict in Ukraine.
It reported that the missile, capable of traveling thousands of kilometers, was launched from the southern Astrakhan area of Russia during a morning assault on the central city of Dnipro on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced, "Today, we encountered a new type of Russian missile. Its features—speed and altitude—indicate that it is an intercontinental ballistic missile. We are currently conducting an expert investigation into this matter."
However, the assertion from Ukraine regarding an intercontinental ballistic missile has yet to be substantiated. A Western official informed ABC News that the missile in question did not seem to be an ICBM but was rather identified as a ballistic missile.
Another source indicated that it might be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, but the most advanced versions of these are nearly on par with lower-tier intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Russian President Vladimir Putin later stated that the assault was executed using a "new conventional intermediate-range" missile known as Oreshnik.
"Putin stated that on November 21st, following the deployment of long-range weapons by the U.S. and the U.K., the Russian military executed a coordinated attack on a facility linked to Ukraine's military-industrial complex."
"Under combat conditions, a test was conducted on one of the newest Russian intermediate-range missile systems. This particular test involved a non-nuclear hypersonic variant of a ballistic missile. The outcome was successful, as the target was hit," he stated.
Moscow had issued a warning about taking action in response to the decision made by the United States and the United Kingdom. This warning followed North Korea's deployment of thousands of troops to western Russia to participate in Putin's ongoing war, which has been going on for 33 months.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used to transport either conventional or nuclear warheads.
A Ukrainian news source has reported that the missile launched at the city of Dnipro on Thursday was an RS-26 Rubezh, which is a type of Russian intercontinental ballistic missile.
The RS-26 can travel a distance of 5,800 kilometers (3,600 miles), as reported by the Arms Control Association.
According to the air force, the missile strike from Russia aimed at businesses and essential facilities in the central-eastern city of Dnipro.
The air force did not reveal what the intercontinental ballistic missile was aimed at or if it resulted in any damage.
However, regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that the missile strike damaged an industrial facility and ignited fires in Dnipro. Two individuals sustained injuries.
According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile along with seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, of which six were intercepted and destroyed.
"The air force reported that a long-range ballistic missile was fired from the Astrakhan area in Russia," providing specifics about the weapons employed in the assault.
The report did not specify the type of intercontinental ballistic missile that was launched, what its intended target was, or if it resulted in any destruction.
Firefighters responding to a Russian attack in Dnipro on Thursday.
Debris from a long-range missile was discovered in the Kursk region of Russia, which is adjacent to Ukraine. Reports indicate that as many as 12 missiles were launched.
Russia's deployment of Storm Shadows follows just a day after Moscow reported that American ATACMS long-range missiles had been launched into its land.
Nonetheless, military analysts are skeptical that the Russian president will resort to using nuclear weapons, a step that China has apparently cautioned him against taking.
In London, Defence Secretary John Healey was set to respond to inquiries from Members of Parliament on the Commons Defence Committee on Thursday. This comes in the wake of reports that Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the UK are being utilized by Ukraine inside Russia.
The government has remained silent regarding Ukraine's use of Storm Shadows.
