Ukraine Accuses Russia of Using Intercontinental Ballistic Missile in Latest Attack

 

Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in an overnight assault on Thursday, November 22, marking what could be the first recorded use of such a weapon in an active conflict. The claim was challenged by a Western official, who confirmed it was a ballistic missile but stated it was not an ICBM.

The alleged attack targeted the eastern city of Dnipro, with the impact still under assessment. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the accusation, referring inquiries to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles typically have a range exceeding 3,400 miles and can carry both nuclear and non-nuclear payloads. Analysts suggest that if an ICBM was indeed used, it could represent an escalation by Moscow, possibly signaling its military capabilities to adversaries.

President Vladimir Putin recently lowered the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons, a move dismissed by Western officials as further posturing in a conflict that has now surpassed 1,000 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the alleged missile attack in a video on Telegram. He criticized Russia’s actions as indicative of a disregard for human life and dignity. “Putin is using Ukraine as a training ground,” Zelenskyy said, emphasizing that investigations into the missile’s specifications were ongoing.

Ukraine’s air force stated that the suspected ICBM was launched from Astrakhan in southern Russia, located near the Caspian Sea. The air force also reported that various other missiles targeted Dnipro, including an air-launched ballistic missile and seven cruise missiles. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted six cruise missiles, the statement added.

Serhii Lysak, head of the regional administration in Dnipro, reported two injuries resulting from the attacks. In a separate assault on Kryvyi Rih, another eastern city, local authorities confirmed 15 injuries.

This development comes as Ukrainian forces recently used long-range missiles supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom to strike Russian territory. The provision of such weapons had previously faced restrictions from Western allies but was later approved, drawing sharp warnings from Moscow.

While the specifics of the alleged ICBM launch remain under investigation, the incident underscores the intensifying scale of the war, with both sides escalating their use of advanced weaponry.

The global community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns over further escalation and the potential implications of deploying ICBMs in active warfare.