Russia Fires ICBM Into Ukrainian Territory, Confirms Kyiv; First-Ever Use By Any Country

Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, according to Ukraine's air force.

This marks the first known deployment of such a powerful, nuclear-capable weapon with a range of thousands of kilometres in the ongoing war, reported Reuters.

The announcement followed Ukraine's recent use of U.S. and British missiles to strike targets within Russia, despite repeated warnings from Moscow that such actions would constitute a significant escalation in the 33-month conflict.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has yet to comment on the air force's statement. While ICBMs are designed to deliver nuclear warheads and play a crucial role in Russia's strategic deterrence, Ukraine did not specify the type of missile used or whether it carried a nuclear payload. There is no indication that it was armed with a nuclear warhead.

The missile reportedly targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the city of Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine. Regional governor Serhiy Lysak confirmed that the attack damaged an industrial facility and sparked fires, leaving two people injured.

Ukraine's air force also reported the launch of a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, of which six were intercepted. "In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation," the air force noted, without providing further details about the ICBM.

Defence Express, a Ukrainian defence consultancy, questioned whether the United States, Kyiv's primary ally, was informed of the launch in advance. "It is also a question of whether the United States was warned about the launch and its direction, as the announcement of such launches is a prerequisite for preventing the triggering of a missile warning system and the launch of missiles in response," the consultancy stated.

Escalating Tensions

Tensions have heightened this week as the conflict surpassed its 1,000th day. On Wednesday, Russian war correspondents and an anonymous official claimed that Ukraine had fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff said they had no information on the matter, and Moscow has not confirmed the strikes.

Earlier in the week, Ukraine used U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike targets within Russia after receiving approval from President Joe Biden.

This decision comes just two months before Biden is set to leave office, with Donald Trump expected to return to the White House. Trump has pledged to end the war but has not disclosed how, while criticising the extensive aid provided to Ukraine under Biden.

Both sides anticipate Trump will push for peace talks, which have not been seriously considered since the war's early days, and are seeking strong positions ahead of potential negotiations.

Moscow has reiterated that the use of Western weaponry to target Russian territory far from the frontlines represents a major escalation. However, Kyiv maintains that striking Russian rear bases is essential to its defence strategy.

The United States temporarily closed its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday as a precautionary measure due to what it described as a significant threat of air attacks. It reopened on Thursday.