Russia fires ICBM at Ukraine, Kyiv fears of nuclear conflict escalation

Russia fires historic ICBM for 1st time, Ukraine’s Dnipro in flames

Russia has reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine’s Dnipro city, marking the first time such a powerful, nuclear-capable weapon has been used in the ongoing conflict, Kyiv’s Air Force confirmed on Thursday. This escalation comes amid mounting tensions following recent Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian territory.

The missile in question, identified as the RS-26 Rubezh, has a range of up to 5,800 kilometers, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, though Ukrainian officials reported that the missile was not equipped with one during this strike. The RS-26, which was first tested in 2012, is a strategic missile with a length of 12 meters and weighs 36 tons, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the missile attack, stating that experts were working to verify the exact type of missile used. “This is a significant escalation,” Zelensky said, adding that an investigation was underway. In addition to the ICBM, Russia also launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were intercepted by Ukrainian air defense systems. The Russian strike targeted critical infrastructure and industrial sites in Dnipro, injuring at least two people, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.

The launch of the ICBM follows a series of warnings from Moscow in the past days about potential retaliation after Ukraine used ATACMS missiles, supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom, to strike deep inside Russian territory. Moscow had previously described Ukraine’s use of the ATACMS as an attempt by the West to escalate the conflict, and tensions have been rising ever since.

A source quoted by Reuters stated that Russia’s missile assault targeted key facilities in Dnipro, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Russian officials have not commented on the Ukrainian Air Force’s claims regarding the missile strike.

ICBMs are considered part of a country’s strategic nuclear deterrent, capable of carrying nuclear warheads over long distances. Their use in a conflict—especially one that has already led to tens of thousands of casualties—would mark a dramatic escalation and raise concerns about further nuclear risks.

The UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDR) condemned the launch as “unprecedented,” with expert Andrey Baklitskiy commenting on X (formerly Twitter), “If true, this would be the first actual military use of an ICBM. This seems illogical given the cost and precision of such weapons, but the geopolitical message is clear.”

The situation has raised alarm among the international community, with many fearing that this move could signal a broader shift in Russia’s military strategy, possibly involving the further use of nuclear weapons or a dangerous escalation of hostilities.

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