Ukraine accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile in an overnight attack, which would be the first use of such a weapon during the conflict. However, a Western official disputed this, stating it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM that was fired. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to the accusation. The Ukrainian air force claimed the missile was targeting the city of Dnipro. The alleged escalation in the conflict came after Ukrainian forces used U.S. ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, recently revised the country’s nuclear doctrine, stating they would consider using nuclear weapons if attacked by a nonnuclear country supported by a nuclear state. Analysts suggest caution in interpreting the alleged deployment of an ICBM for the first time by Russia. They argue that the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons in the conflict with Ukraine is very slim given the current military situation. The deployment of long-range weapons by Ukraine may provide some benefits but is unlikely to significantly change the situation on the battlefield. The use of nuclear weapons by Russia could have diplomatic consequences and alienate key countries like China. Experts warn against assuming immediate danger from the alleged use of an intercontinental missile and advise to keep calm while taking the situation seriously.
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Ukraine Alleges Russian Launch of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile for the First Time
