Russia launches nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile into Ukraine

(CLO) Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday night local time, targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine. This is the first time Russia has deployed this type of missile, often used to carry nuclear warheads, in the war with Ukraine.

Russia launches ICBM into Ukraine for the first time

In a statement on Telegram, the Ukrainian air force did not specify the specific type of missile but said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea.

However, reports said it was an intercontinental ballistic missile and was fired at the city of Dnipro along with eight others, and the Ukrainian military said it shot down six of them.

“In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation,” the statement said.

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, Russia, on October 29, 2024. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry

The head of the wider region that includes Dnipro city said the Russian air strike destroyed a rehabilitation center and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise.

“Two people were injured – a 57-year-old man who was treated at the scene and a 42-year-old woman who was hospitalized,” the official said.

Video of Russia test-launching an ICBM in late October 2024

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A source in the Ukrainian air force confirmed to AFP that this was the first time Russia had deployed this type of weapon in the conflict between the two countries.

Missiles do not carry nuclear warheads

The source added that it was "obvious" that the missile, designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, did not carry a nuclear warhead in this launch.

The site of a Russian missile attack in Dnipro, Ukraine on November 21, 2024. Photo: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk region

ICBMs are missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads and their use would be a reminder of Russia's nuclear capabilities and a strong message about the potential for escalation.

Asked whether Moscow had fired missiles capable of hitting targets thousands of kilometres away, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had "nothing to say on this subject".

The war is heating up dangerously.

This development took place when the war was heating up day by day with the US and some Western countries allowing Kiev to launch long-range missile attacks on Russian territory.

Ukraine immediately carried out the operation after receiving permission, launching a series of US ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadows into Russian territory.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defense systems shot down two Storm Shadows, but did not specify whether they were shot down over Russian territory or over occupied Ukraine.

The use of ICBMs comes after Ukraine used US- and UK-made missiles against targets in Russia. Photo: AP

The attacks came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine, officially lowering the country's threshold for using nuclear weapons.

Earlier, Mr. Putin warned the United States and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons provided by the West to attack Russian territory would mean war between Russia and NATO.

The new doctrine allows Russia to respond with nuclear weapons even if there is a conventional attack on Russia by any country supported by a nuclear power.

Hoang Anh (according to AFP, Newsweek, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-phong-ten-lua-xuyen-luc-dia-co-kha-nang-hat-nhan-vao-ukraine-nguy-hiem-ngay-cang-gia-tang-post322298.html