Ukraine claims Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile at it for the first time

Russia's deployment of an ICBM comes after Ukrainian forces used long-range U.S. and British missiles inside Russia — and marks a significant escalation.

Ukraine on Thursday accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile in an overnight attack, which would be the first recorded use of an ICBM in an active conflict. The claim was disputed by a Western official, who said it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM that was fired.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to the accusation, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referring questions to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Western official declined to further characterize the missile that was used, which the person said was targeting the eastern city of Dnipro, adding that its impact was still being assessed.

It came as Ukrainian forces used their first long-range U.S. and British missiles to strike Russian soil after Washington and its allies lifted restrictions on Kyiv — a move that Moscow had long warned would be met with a significant response.

ICBMs typically have a range of at least 3,400 miles, so it’s unclear why the Kremlin would allegedly use one against its neighbor. Such missiles can carry either nuclear and nonnuclear payloads.

President Vladimir Putin this week lowered the bar for his country’s use of a nuclear weapon, a move that was dismissed by Western officials as the latest instance of Russian saber rattling in the war, which has now lasted more than 1,000 days.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-launched-icbm-ukraine-war-putin-rcna181131

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