Kyiv Claims Russia Hit Ukraine with Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Ukrainian military officials report that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukrainian territory on November 21. A Western official later disputed the claim, saying it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM that was fired, Orda.kz reports.

According to preliminary information, the missile was launched from the Astrakhan region.

As Reuters reports, citing the Ukrainian Air Force, this is the first time that Russia has used weapons designed to carry out nuclear strikes. Industrial enterprises and critical infrastructure facilities in the city of Dnipro were hit.

After the attack, fires broke out in Dnipro, and two people were injured.

The Russian strike came after Ukrainian forces fired ATACMS missiles at Russian territory, a move Moscow had previously said it would perceive as a "serious escalation."

Ukrainian sources do not specify which intercontinental missiles the Russian army allegedly used for the strike.

However, the Ukrainian Air Force claims that Russian troops also launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles at the country's territory, six of which were shot down.

The Russian side has not yet confirmed or denied Kyiv’s statements.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles are part of the Russian nuclear deterrence. Such missiles can carry nuclear or non-nuclear payloads, and analysts believe the conventional use of such a missile makes little sense and may serve as a signal, according to NBC News.

The day before, Kazakhstan's embassy recommended that citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan leave Ukraine due to the increased frequency of artillery shelling and air strikes.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny