Ukraine alleges Russia has fired its first ever intercontinental ballistic missile at the country

Ukraine accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in an overnight attack, a claim disputed by a Western official who said it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM. The Kremlin did not respond immediately to the accusation. ICBMs typically have a range of at least 3,400 miles and can carry nuclear or non-nuclear payloads. The Ukrainian air force claimed the alleged ICBM was launched from southern Russia and targeted the city of Dnipro, but details on casualties were not yet known. The air force also said Moscow had attacked Dnipro with various missiles, including an air-launched ballistic missile and seven cruise missiles. This alleged escalation in the conflict comes after Ukrainian forces used American ATACMS missiles to strike Russian soil, prompting warnings from Moscow. The conflict, which has gone on for over 1,000 days, follows President Putin’s recent revision of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which now allows for a nuclear strike if Russia is attacked by a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear state. The use of an ICBM in this conflict is concerning and raises questions about the motivations behind such a deployment.

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