Ukraine has accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during an overnight attack, marking the first use of such a weapon in the conflict. However, a Western official disputed this claim, stating that it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM that was fired. The Kremlin has not yet responded to the accusation. The missile was reportedly targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine, although the specifics of the missile used have not been confirmed.
The Ukrainian air force claimed that the alleged ICBM was launched from southern Russia at Dnipro, resulting in injuries to two people. Separately, the city of Kryvyi Rih was also reportedly attacked, resulting in 15 injuries. The alleged escalation in the conflict comes after Ukrainian forces used long-range U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian soil, which Moscow had warned would prompt a significant response.
President Vladimir Putin recently revised Russia’s nuclear doctrine, indicating that a nuclear strike could be justified if the country is attacked by a nonnuclear state supported by a nuclear power. Analysts have cautioned against automatically assuming the use of an ICBM as inherently dangerous, suggesting that it may serve as a signal rather than a strategic military move. The situation continues to unfold and underscores the ongoing complexities of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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