Russia strikes Ukraine with a nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time

Russia has struck Ukraine with an nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time since the war started in a warning to Kyiv.

The ICBM which has a minimum range of 5,000 kilometres and can travel a maximum of 9,000 hit Dnipro, Ukraine on Thursday morning which marks a major escalation.

Air alerts were triggered across Ukraine and explosions were heard in Dnipro at 07:15am as the ICBMs hit critical infrastructure and an industrial facility causing heavy damage.

The Air Force said that six Kh-101 missiles were destroyed and it is unknown what the casualty rate is.

The Ukrainian Air Force said on Thursday morning, “Between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. on Nov. 21, Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro, hitting enterprises and critical infrastructure.

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“The assault included an ICBM launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile fired from a MiG-31K jet in the Tambov region, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles launched by Tu-95MS bombers near the Volgograd region.”

It’s almost funny. During the press-conference today, a mysterious voice calls the speaker of 🇷🇺 MFA & tells her to say nothing about ballistic missile strike against 🇺🇦 Dnipro last night.

The press hears every word though.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/3krBKQEdkA

— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) November 21, 2024

Former Ukrainian government interior minister advisor Anton Geraschenko, posting on X, said, “Russia has attacked Ukraine with an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time, Ukrainian Air Force reported.

The attack was launched from the Astrakhan region of Russia. The Air Force did not specify which missile was used. However, prior reports on social media warned of a possible attack using the RS-26 “Rubezh” missile.”

‼️ The Ukrainian city of Dnipro became the first city in human history to be struck by an intercontinental ballistic missile. It is a historic turning point. An intercontinental ballistic missile used not on a firing range, but against a city of a million people. pic.twitter.com/TyXjY3TjFz

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 21, 2024

Estonian blogger WarTranslated, posting on X, that Russia is planning to test a new missile on Thursday.

The blogger wrote, “The Russians are probably preparing to launch their RS-26 “Rubizh” ballistic missile, testing it in combat conditions.

The post added, “The missile has an explosive, non-nuclear warhead.

“It is claimed that the launch can take place from a test site in Astrakhan region.”