Did Russia Fire an ICBM at Dnipro? Conflicting Claims Spark Debate

 Russia Launches Ballistic Missile Toward Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions

Russia launched a ballistic missile toward Ukraine early Thursday, according to Ukrainian officials, who initially believed it to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, a Western official told ABC News that the missile was not an ICBM but rather a standard ballistic missile aimed at the southeastern city of Dnipro.

 

The Ukrainian military reported being "95% certain" that the projectile was an ICBM but noted that an investigation of missile debris on the ground was still ongoing. Moscow has not confirmed the claim, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referring questions to Russia's Defense Ministry.

 

Ukraine’s Air Force announced that it had tracked the launch of the missile from Russia’s Astrahan region, along with six other missiles, all targeting the Dnipro area. The attacks began around 5 a.m. local time and lasted for approximately two hours. While six of the missiles were intercepted, one struck its intended target, causing damage to businesses and critical infrastructure. No casualties were reported.

 

If confirmed, the use of an ICBM would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, particularly as tensions between the two nations have heightened this week. Ukraine recently launched U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against targets in Russian territory, a move approved by U.S. President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Ukraine reportedly fired six ATACMS at Russian positions, including an ammunition depot in the Bryansk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not confirm specific targets but stated that Ukraine would continue utilizing ATACMS as needed.

 

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated the country’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for deploying nuclear weapons. While the missile launched Thursday was not believed to carry a nuclear payload, Russian ICBMs are capable of doing so, intensifying international concern over potential escalation.

 

Further complicating the situation, Ukraine on Wednesday launched long-range British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. According to Ukraine's 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion, the strikes targeted a command post in Marino where high-ranking North Korean military personnel were reportedly present. Intelligence suggests that over 10,000 North Korean troops are currently assisting Russian forces in the Kursk region.

 

The developments underscore the mounting volatility in the conflict, with both sides increasingly relying on advanced weaponry and strategic strikes that risk broadening the scope of the war.