Ukraine Claims Russia Fired Intercontinental Missile in First Attack of Its Kind During the War

Ukraine has reported that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) overnight, targeting the city of Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine. If confirmed, this marks the first time Moscow has used such a missile during the ongoing war.

In a statement posted Thursday on Telegram, Ukraine’s Air Force did not specify the exact type of missile but confirmed that it was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, located near the Caspian Sea. The missile strike on Dnipro was part of a broader attack that included eight missiles in total, six of which were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses.

The attack caused injuries to two individuals and damaged both an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, local officials reported.

While the use of an ICBM against Ukraine may seem excessive, such missiles are designed for nuclear payloads. The deployment of an ICBM sends a chilling message about Russia’s nuclear capabilities and the potential for further escalation in the conflict.

This attack follows shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons. The timing also coincides with Ukraine’s recent missile strikes on Russian territory, including U.S.-supplied long-range missiles and British-made Storm Shadows.

In a separate statement, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems successfully downed two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. However, the ministry did not specify the locations or targets of the downed projectiles. Russia has previously reported shooting down Storm Shadow missiles over the annexed Crimean Peninsula.

The war has become increasingly international in scope, especially with the reported arrival of North Korean troops to support Russia on the battlefield. U.S. officials noted that this development prompted President Joe Biden to approve the use of longer-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine, a move that has prompted Moscow to issue threats of further escalation.

Putin has warned NATO that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons against Russian territory could be seen as an act of war between Russia and NATO. His new nuclear doctrine also indicates that Russia may resort to nuclear retaliation even in response to a conventional attack on Russian soil if a nuclear power supports that attack.

Though the doctrine opens the door for a nuclear response, it remains broad, allowing Putin to keep his options open without committing to a specific course of action.