November 21, 2024 – Tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war escalate dramatically, when Russia launches an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) toward the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. This is a significant moment in the war, as it is the first use of ICBMs, usually nuclear-capable, and because of their enormous destructive power and long range.
Ukrainian officials quickly confirmed the missile’s characteristics, saying its speed and altitude were consistent with ICBMs. President Zelensky said in a video message that an investigation is underway to verify the details of the launch. The missile was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, which is more than 700 kilometers from Dnipro, but Ukrainian authorities did not immediately confirm whether the missile carried a nuclear warhead. Experts believe the missile used was likely the RS-26 Rubez, a solid-fuel based ICBM with a range of 5,800 km, and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
The missile attack on Dnipro targeted critical infrastructure and industrial establishments, causing fires and some damage to the city. Two people were injured, although the full extent of the damage is not yet clear. In addition to ICBMs, Russia launched Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and seven B-101 cruise missiles, six of which were intercepted by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The missile attack comes at a time when tensions between Russia and Ukraine are at a peak. Ukraine has recently fired Western-supplied missiles, such as British Storm Shadow and US ATACMS, into Russian territory. Moscow has previously warned that such a move would lead to a major escalation in the conflict. Russia’s military response, the use of ICBMs, is seen by some analysts as a show of force and deterrence, in response to recent missile attacks in Ukraine.
The use of ICBMs is a very important step, and some experts are characterizing it as an unprecedented development. Andrey Baklitsky of the UN Disarmament Research Institute says that if its use is true, it is highly impractical for the military, because of its low cost and low specificity. German security expert Ulrich Kuhn commented that Russia may have used an ICBM for combat for the first time in history, having been fired at a civilian target in Dnipro.
