Russia Fires ICBM at Ukraine, Sending Stern Warning to Kyiv and Western Allies
Moscow has launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war. This move comes just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin altered Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, raising tensions in the conflict. The ICBM, which was armed with a conventional warhead, serves as a stern warning to both Ukraine and its Western backers that Moscow’s “red lines” must be respected.
ICBMs are primarily designed to carry nuclear warheads, but they can also be equipped with conventional warheads. These missiles are part of a country’s strategic nuclear defense and are typically seen as a means of retaliation in the event of a nuclear confrontation.
Russia’s aggressive stance follows a series of provocative moves by Ukraine and its Western allies. Recently, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the use of long-range missiles, such as the US-made ATACMS and the UK-made Storm Shadow, to strike deep into Russian territory. Within hours of these approvals, Kyiv launched missiles targeting Russian regions.
According to Ukrainian officials, this is the first time Russia has used an ICBM in the conflict, which entered its 1,000th day on Wednesday. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Russian missiles, including an ICBM, were launched at Dnipro, a central Ukrainian city. The missile attack aimed to cripple Ukraine’s infrastructure, with reports indicating significant damage, including the destruction of homes, an industrial complex, and a rehabilitation center.
The Kremlin, while avoiding direct comment on the ICBM launch, emphasized that it was making every effort to avoid a nuclear conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine—allowing for nuclear strikes against non-nuclear states—should be interpreted as a warning to the West. He insisted that Russia’s stance was one of responsibility, aiming to prevent nuclear escalation.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported successfully intercepting six Russian missiles, but it did not confirm whether the ICBM was among them. Despite this, the attack caused widespread devastation in Dnipro, with significant infrastructural damage.
On the other side, Russia claimed its air defense systems had downed two Storm Shadow missiles, though it did not clarify whether they were intercepted over Ukrainian or Russian territory.
As the war drags into its third year, both sides have ramped up military aggression, with Russia and Ukraine both employing long-range missiles as a show of strength. Meanwhile, calls for diplomacy continue, with world leaders urging both Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate for an end to the devastating conflict.
