Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, according to Kyiv’s air force, marking the first known use of such a powerful, nuclear-capable weapon with a range of thousands of kilometers in the ongoing conflict. The air force reported the launch after Ukraine fired US and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week, actions that Moscow had warned would be seen as a major escalation in the 33-month-old war.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, did not immediately comment on the air force statement. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are strategic weapons designed to deliver nuclear warheads and are a crucial component of Russia’s nuclear deterrent. The Ukrainians did not specify the type of warhead or missile involved, nor was there any indication that it was nuclear-armed.
The Russian missile attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, according to the air force. Regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that the missile attack caused damage to an industrial enterprise and triggered fires in Dnipro, injuring two people. Additionally, Russia fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were shot down by Ukrainian forces.
Defense Express, a Ukrainian defense consultancy, questioned whether the United States, Kyiv’s main international ally, had been informed about the missile launch in advance. The consultancy noted that such announcements are necessary to prevent the triggering of a missile warning system and potential retaliatory launches.
Tensions have escalated this week as the 1,000th day of the war passed. Russian war correspondents and an anonymous official claimed that Kyiv fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia’s Kursk region on Wednesday. Ukraine’s General Staff did not confirm this, and Russia did not immediately acknowledge the strikes. The extent of the damage remains unclear.
On Tuesday, Ukraine fired US ATACMS missiles into Russia after US President Joe Biden authorized their use, just two months before he leaves office and Donald Trump returns to the White House. Trump has pledged to end the war but has not specified how, and he has criticized the billions of dollars in aid provided to Ukraine under Biden. Both sides in the conflict believe Trump is likely to push for peace talks, which have not occurred since the war’s early months, and are striving to achieve strong positions before any negotiations.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would represent a major escalation. Kyiv argues that it needs the capability to defend itself by targeting Russian rear bases used to support Moscow’s invasion.
The United States temporarily closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday due to the threat of a significant air attack, but later announced that the embassy would reopen on Thursday.
Source link: https://nypost.com
