Russia has launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The strike comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin revised Moscow’s nuclear policy, further raising tensions. Armed with a conventional warhead, the ICBM serves as a stern warning to both Ukraine and its Western supporters, signaling that Russia’s “red lines” must be respected.
ICBMs are primarily designed to carry nuclear warheads, but they can also be equipped with conventional payloads. These missiles form part of a country’s strategic defense, often considered a retaliatory measure in the event of a nuclear confrontation.
Russia’s aggressive move follows a series of actions by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the recent approval by US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to provide long-range missiles like the US-made ATACMS and UK-made Storm Shadow. Within hours of these approvals, Ukraine launched missiles targeting Russian territory.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that this is the first time Russia has used an ICBM in the conflict, which marked its 1,000th day on Wednesday. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian missiles, including an ICBM, were launched at the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, targeting infrastructure. The attack resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of homes, an industrial complex, and a rehabilitation center.
While the Kremlin refrained from commenting directly on the ICBM launch, it reiterated that Russia is committed to avoiding nuclear escalation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the updated nuclear doctrine, which permits nuclear strikes against non-nuclear states, should be seen as a warning to the West, highlighting Russia’s responsibility to prevent further escalation.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting six Russian missiles, although it did not confirm whether the ICBM was among them. Despite these intercepts, Dnipro suffered extensive damage to its infrastructure.
On the Russian side, Moscow claimed its air defense systems had downed two Storm Shadow missiles, but it did not specify whether they were intercepted over Ukrainian or Russian soil.
As the war continues into its third year, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified their military operations, with both sides using long-range missiles to assert their power. Calls for diplomacy persist, with global leaders urging both nations to negotiate an end to the devastating conflict.
