Russia ‘launches intercontinental ballistic missile’ for first time ever in fight
Remarkable footage from Russia claims to show the first use of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the war in Ukraine.
Reports claim it was fired from Kapustin Yar test range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and at the Yuzhmash defence plant in Dnipro. It is claimed that the flashes seen on the video are six separate warheads of a R-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Russia has not confirmed or denied launching an ICBM.
The use potential use an ICBM is currently unconfirmed. Downing Street has called the unverified reports Russia had launched an ICBM into Ukraine “deeply concerning”.
The outdated R-26 Rubezh had never been used in anger. It was designed to carry a deadly nuclear payload but, if used here, this was a conventional attack.
(Image: social media; E2W news)
If the use of the Rubezh is confirmed, it will be the first combat use of an ICBM in history, marking a significant moment of escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, instigated entirely by Mad Vlad and his band of daft Kremlin cronies.
The missile attack on Dnipro is a response from Moscow to Wednesday’s suspected first use by Ukrainian forces of Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory. Defence Secretary John Healey refused to be drawn into confirming reports the war-torn nation has launched British-supplied long-range missiles at its foe.
Russia’s military said it has shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, following reports that debris from the weapons had been discovered in the country’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
Asked to confirm reports Storm Shadow had been used by Ukraine, the Defence Secretary said: “I won’t be drawn on the operational details of the conflict.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin.”
The Guardian said British intelligence is currently working to establish if the ICBM claims by Kyiv are true. A Western official speaking to ABC News cast doubt on the reports.
In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine’s air force did not specify the exact type of missile but said it was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea.
It said the intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them.
Ukraine said that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting the city of Dnipro in the east of the country – the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war.
In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine’s air force did not specify the exact type of missile but said it was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea.
It said the intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them.
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