Russia also fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during its airstrike on Thursday morning for the first time since the war began, according to Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said the missile was launched from the southern region of Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea.
“An intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation,” the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement on Facebook. According to consistent media reports, this is the first use of such a weapon since the start of the war in February 2022.
The Ukrainian Air Force also said seven Ch-101 cruise missiles were shot down during the attack on Dnipro. The Russian attack came after Ukraine attacked targets in Russia for the first time in recent days with American and British missiles.
The target was critical infrastructure
The targets of the Russian attack included businesses and critical infrastructure in the central eastern city of Dnipro, the report said. According to local authorities, an industrial enterprise was damaged in Dnipro. Two fires also broke out in the city.
Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov wrote that a center for people with disabilities was also damaged. So far there is no information about any injuries.
Cannot be shot
The intercontinental ballistic missile would be the Russian model RS-26 “Rubesch” (“Border”). Due to its speed and ability to quickly change flight paths, it cannot be shot down by air defenses. The explosive charge probably weighed around 1,200 kilograms. Typically, intercontinental ballistic missiles, which can travel several thousand kilometers, are used for more distant targets.
With the application that makes little sense from a military point of view on a relatively close target that could also be reached with other missiles, Russia is mainly taking a symbolic step. The Kremlin thus underlines its threat to possibly use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its supporters.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
