Moscow: Russia has launched an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine just a day after President Vladimir Putin amended the country’s nuclear policy. The use of an ICBM with a conventional warhead serves as a significant warning to Ukraine and its Western supporters that Moscow’s red lines must not be crossed.
ICBMs, which are primarily designed to carry nuclear warheads, can also be equipped with conventional warheads. The rationale, technology, and design of ICBMs are aimed at enhancing a nation’s response in the event of a nuclear scenario. This strong action from Moscow follows recent approvals from US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, permitting Ukraine to employ Western long-range cruise and ballistic missiles to strike deep into Russian territory.
Shortly after receiving these approvals, Kyiv launched a US-made ATACMS missile and a UK-made ‘Storm Shadow’ missile at Russian targets. According to Kyiv, this marks the first instance of Moscow deploying an ICBM since the conflict’s onset, coinciding with significant escalations in the war which recently reached its 1,000th day. The Ukrainian Air Force reported today that Russian forces targeted the central city of Dnipro with various missiles in an attempt to damage critical infrastructure.
They specifically noted that an ICBM had been launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region. An AFP report confirmed with a Ukrainian Air Force source that this was the first ICBM launch since the war began. When asked about the ICBM launch, Moscow sidestepped the inquiry. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated he had “nothing to say on this topic.”
However, the Kremlin insisted it was exerting “maximum effort” to prevent nuclear conflict after revising its nuclear strategy this week. The newly adopted policy allows for the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, and Russia indicated this should be viewed as a warning to the West. “We have emphasized in our doctrine that Russia takes a responsible approach to prevent such a conflict,” the spokesperson added. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed it successfully intercepted six missiles fired by Moscow, although it did not clarify if the Russian ICBM was among them.
Reports indicate that Russian aerial assaults have inflicted damage on several homes in Dnipro, along with significant destruction throughout the city, including an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center. Similarly, Moscow stated that its air defense systems had intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles, but it did not specify whether these were downed in Ukrainian airspace or over Russian territory.
As the two-and-a-half-year conflict continues, it has drifted further away from diplomatic solutions, with rising tensions from both sides following the grim milestone of 1,000 days. Both sides have displayed their military capabilities through long-range missile strikes, even as numerous global leaders have urged Putin and Zelensky to pursue diplomatic avenues for a resolution to the conflict.
