Russia fires Intercontinental Ballistic Missile at Ukraine for First Time Since Invasion

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North News

New Delhi, November 21

Russia has launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian air defense forces reported that the ICBM, without a nuclear warhead, was launched alongside seven Kh-101 cruise missiles targeting the city of Dnipro, the UK based news outlet The Financial Times reported.

The missile launch follows Ukraine’s deployment of U.S.-made Atacms and British Storm Shadow missiles in strikes on Russian territory. In response, Russia adjusted its nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for first use. Unlike shorter-range missiles, ICBMs have the capacity to carry nuclear warheads across continents, with a far greater range.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down two Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones, underscoring the escalation in the war. Analysts suggest the ICBM launch signals a warning to the West, demonstrating Russia’s long-range strike capabilities, the news outlet CNN reported.

The West has expressed concern about reciprocal escalation, especially after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Kyiv to use longer-range missiles. Despite the ICBM launch, there is no evidence it carried a nuclear warhead or caused any nuclear detonation, the news outlet said.