The scene of the missile attack on Dnipro on Nov. 21 (Telegram/ State Emergency Service)
THE KYIV INDEPENDENT| Published November 21, 2024
Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Dnipro, east Ukraine on the morning of Nov. 21, Kyiv’s Air Force reported.
If confirmed, it would be the first time the Kremlin has used such a weapon in an attack on Ukraine.
In the early hours of Nov. 21, a country-wide air raid alert sounded due to the threat of ballistic missiles, and later, the launch of several Russian Tu-95MS bomber aircraft.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the attack targeted the city of Dnipro using a number of different missile types.
“In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an Kh-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter jet was launched from the Tambov region, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95MS strategic bombers,” the report said.
The report did not specify what type of ICBM was launched. Astrakhan Oblast is located in southern Russia, over 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Dnipro. The region borders Kazakhstan, Russia’s Kalmykia Republic, Volgograd Oblast, and the Caspian Sea.
An industrial enterprise was damaged, and two fires broke out in the city, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was damaged in the attack, Mayor Borys Filatov said.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.kyivindependent.com
RELATED: Ukraine claims Russia launched intercontinental ballistic missile at it for the first time
The claim was disputed by a Western official, who said it was a ballistic missile but not an ICBM that was fired at the eastern city of Dnipro early Thursday.
Ukrainian firefighters tackle a blaze after a residence was damaged by a Russian missile attack in Dnipro on Thursday.State Emergency Service of Ukraine / AFP – Getty Images
NBC NEWS | Published November 21, 2024
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.
Analysts said that if confirmed, firing an ICBM would most likely represent another escalation designed to send a message to the Kremlin’s foes about its capabilities.
‘Using Ukraine as a training ground’
Speaking in a video posted on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and people’s lives in general… he is so afraid that he is already using new missiles.”
Be the first to comment