RNS: Russia has launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This strike, reportedly the first of its kind since the war began, comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin amended Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, signaling a new phase in the tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West.
The ICBM, armed with a conventional warhead, is seen as a strong warning to both Kyiv and its Western allies, urging them to respect Russia’s “red lines.” Although ICBMs are traditionally designed to carry nuclear warheads, they can also be equipped with conventional payloads, leveraging advanced missile technology initially developed for nuclear deterrence.
The missile strike follows a provocative move by Western leaders, with U.S. President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer giving Ukraine the green light to use long-range missiles, such as the U.S.-made ATACMS and the UK-made “Storm Shadow,” against Russian territory. Just hours after receiving approval, Ukraine targeted Russian positions with these Western-supplied missiles.
The RS-26 Rubezh, the missile reportedly launched by Russia, has a range of 5,800 kilometers and was fired from the Astrakhan region. The missile, however, was not armed with a nuclear warhead, according to Ukrainian sources. The strike targeted critical infrastructure in Dnipro, a central Ukrainian city. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that two people were injured in the attack.
In addition to the RS-26 ICBM, Russia also deployed a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles. Six of the Kh-101 missiles were reportedly intercepted by Ukrainian defense systems.
The missile launch comes as the war enters its 1,000th day, with tensions continuing to rise. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the ICBM launch, stating he had “nothing to say on this topic.”
The RS-26 Rubezh missile, first successfully tested in 2012, is a mobile ICBM designed to evade missile defense systems. At approximately 12 meters in length and weighing 36 tons, the missile serves as a demonstration of Russia’s advanced missile capabilities.
As the conflict enters its third year, the use of an ICBM represents a major shift in the nature of the war and underscores the heightened risks of escalation between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO nations.
