KYIV—In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Moscow launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine on Thursday, marking the first reported use of such a weapon in the war, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russian forces targeted critical infrastructure in the central city of Dnipro, using a variety of missiles, including the ICBM, which was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region.
“This is the first confirmed use of an intercontinental ballistic missile by Russian forces since the invasion began,” a source within the Ukrainian Air Force told AFP, adding that the missile, designed to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads, signals a dangerous intensification of hostilities.
Moscow Silent on ICBM Deployment
When questioned about the ICBM strike, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, stating, “I have nothing to say on this topic.”
Ukrainian air defence units reported intercepting six missiles during the attack but did not confirm whether the ICBM was among them. The strikes damaged a rehabilitation centre, several homes, and an industrial enterprise in Dnipro, according to Sergiy Lysak, head of the regional administration.
Two civilians were injured, Lysak said—a 57-year-old man who received treatment at the scene and a 42-year-old woman who was hospitalized.
Tit-for-Tat Escalation with Long-Range Missiles
The use of an ICBM comes amid heightened exchanges of long-range missile strikes between the two nations. This week, Ukraine intensified its use of Western-supplied long-range missiles, including the U.S.-made ATACMS, which Kyiv recently deployed against military targets in Russia.
Additionally, British media reported that Ukraine launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory after receiving authorization from London. Moscow’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defence systems intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles but did not clarify whether the interceptions occurred over Russian soil or occupied Ukrainian regions.
Rising Tensions and Global Implications
The unprecedented use of an ICBM highlights the escalating nature of the conflict, raising concerns over potential spillover effects and further destabilization in the region. The deployment of increasingly sophisticated weaponry by both sides underscores the high stakes as the war enters a more dangerous phase.
The international community is closely monitoring developments, with calls for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from spiraling further.
