In what is likely the highest-stakes moment in the entire Ukraine war, Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Ukraine, hitting Dnipro, and marking the first time Russia has ever used such a weapon in hits history against a rival country.
Video of the missile strike is trickling in, and it appears to show warheads raining down on the city. Although they were non-nuclear payloads, the move is seen as a clear warning shot of what Russia is capable of if the conflict were to go nuclear.
Kyiv’s air force confirmed the attack, which comes after the U.S. and British missiles were used against targets for the first time this week. Moscow has warned that such a move could result in World War III.
Kyiv’s air force says that the attack was targeting critical infrastructure and production facilities in the city, but it is unclear whether they caused any damage.
ICBMs can be launched over the course of thousands of miles to hit targets on the other side of the world, and they can be equipped with numerous nuclear warheads. These warheads detach from the missile and in many cases can be guided to a variety of targets independently. It is also possible to use conventional warheads. Currently, it is unclear what kind of munitions attached to the missile strike on Dnipro, although it has been reported that they were not nuclear.
The missile was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, according to Kyvi’s air force.
