Russia reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Dnipro city in central-eastern Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force announced Thursday via Telegram. If confirmed, this would mark the first use of such a missile in the ongoing war. The attack also included eight other missiles, six of which were intercepted by Ukrainian forces.
Two people were injured, and local officials reported damage to an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for individuals with disabilities. The missile barrage underscores escalating tensions as Russia flexes its military capabilities.
Missile Launched from Astrakhan Region
Ukraine’s air force did not specify the exact ICBM model but confirmed it was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region near the Caspian Sea. ICBMs are traditionally designed to carry nuclear warheads, and their use in this context would signal a stark warning of Russia’s readiness to escalate.
The range of an ICBM is far beyond what’s necessary for targeting Ukraine, suggesting the strike may have been intended to demonstrate Moscow’s nuclear potential rather than for practical military purposes.
Attack Follows Revised Russian Nuclear Doctrine
This missile launch comes just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an updated nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons. The revised policy broadens the conditions under which Moscow could justify a nuclear response, even to conventional attacks by nations supported by nuclear-armed states.
Amid these developments, Ukraine has intensified its counteroffensive, deploying American-supplied long-range missiles and U.K.-made Storm Shadow missiles. In response, Russia claimed its air defense systems intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones, though no specific details were provided on the timing or locations of these interceptions.
North Korean Troops Enter the Conflict
Adding to the growing international scope of the war, North Korean troops have reportedly joined Russian forces on the battlefield. This move has influenced U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to greenlight Ukraine’s use of longer-range U.S. missiles, further intensifying the conflict.
The Kremlin, however, has doubled down on its threats, warning that continued Western support for Ukraine risks escalating into direct conflict between NATO and Russia. As tensions rise, the potential for a broader and more devastating conflict looms over the ongoing war.
