Russia Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile in Ukraine Attack : Kyiv

Firefighters respond to a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, November 21, 2024. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout)

KYIV, Nov 21 (Extreme Wordle News) – Russia reportedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during an attack on Ukraine last Thursday, marking what could be the first use of such a powerful weapon in the ongoing war. Designed primarily for nuclear strikes over vast distances, this deployment signals escalating tensions in the 33-month conflict, Ukraine’s air force stated.

The development follows Ukraine’s use of U.S. and British missiles against targets inside Russia earlier this week, actions Moscow warned would constitute a significant escalation.

ICBM Use Raises Concerns

If confirmed, this would represent the first military use of an ICBM, a strategic weapon integral to Russia's nuclear deterrence arsenal. Security experts noted that ICBMs are traditionally designed to deliver nuclear warheads, though there was no indication the missile used in this instance carried such a payload.

Kyiv’s air force did not specify the missile type or the warhead it carried, and the Kremlin did not immediately comment. Pressed for a response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov directed inquiries to the Russian military.

According to the Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, anonymous sources identified the missile as an RS-26 Rubezh. This solid-fuel ICBM, capable of reaching distances up to 5,800 km, was first tested in 2012 and is designed to carry an 800-kg nuclear warhead, as per the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Details of the Attack
The missile reportedly targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro. While Kyiv’s air force did not confirm specific targets or damage caused by the ICBM, Dnipro regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that the attack damaged an industrial enterprise and triggered fires. Two people sustained injuries.

Russia also launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles during the assault, six of which were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses, the air force added.

The ICBM was reportedly launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, over 700 km from Dnipro.

International Reactions and Concerns

The unprecedented use of an ICBM in active combat sparked widespread concern. Defense Express, a Ukrainian defense consultancy, questioned whether the United States, Kyiv’s primary ally, had been informed of the missile launch in advance, a standard protocol to prevent unintended escalations or retaliatory strikes.

NATO declined to comment immediately, while Andrey Baklitskiy of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research described the event as "totally unprecedented." German security expert Ulrich Kuehn echoed similar concerns, noting this as the first historical use of an ICBM in war.

Escalation Amid Cross-Border Strikes

The missile attack coincided with heightened cross-border hostilities. Ukrainian forces reportedly fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia’s Kursk region on Wednesday. Russia’s defense ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted two such missiles.

On Tuesday, Ukraine also launched U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian territory after receiving clearance from President Joe Biden. These developments come as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike, citing conventional attacks as a potential trigger.

A Shift in Dynamics

The escalating use of advanced weaponry underscores a potential shift in the conflict’s dynamics. With U.S. President Joe Biden nearing the end of his term, both sides appear to be jockeying for stronger positions ahead of possible peace negotiations.

Former President Donald Trump, a likely contender in the upcoming election, has promised to end the war, though he has not detailed his approach. Both Ukraine and Russia anticipate Trump may push for peace talks, which have remained stalled since the war's early days.

Kyiv, for its part, defends its right to strike Russian rear bases that support Moscow’s invasion, while Moscow views attacks deep within its territory as a major provocation.

This latest escalation raises critical questions about the trajectory of the conflict and the risks posed by the deployment of strategic weapons.