On Thursday, Moscow escalated the ongoing conflict by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, a move Kyiv claims marks a significant escalation. This incident follows Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against targets in Russia.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces targeted the central city of Dnipro early in the day, focusing on critical infrastructure. “An intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region,” stated the Ukrainian Air Force.
A Ukrainian Air Force source informed AFP that this event marked the first deployment of such a weapon since the Kremlin began its invasion. The source emphasized that the missile, capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads, did not have a nuclear payload.
When asked about the launch, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the specifics.
The Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted six missiles, although it did not specify if the ICBM was among those downed. The attack resulted in damage to a rehabilitation centre, several homes, and an industrial facility in Dnipro. Sergiy Lysak, a regional official, reported that two individuals were injured during the bombardment.
Read: Russia Threatens Retaliation If Ukraine Uses US Long-Range Missiles
The conflict has intensified since the United States authorized Ukraine to use its ATACMS for strikes within Russia. Furthermore, British media disclosed that Kyiv had fired UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at Russian targets, following approval from London.
The Moscow Defense Ministry acknowledged that its air defences had intercepted two Storm Shadows but did not specify the location of the interception.
