Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
A vehicle exploded in Washington, DC, the United States.
The Israeli occupation forces are carrying out extensive air raids on eastern and northeastern Gaza.
Israeli media: One Israeli soldier killed in a "security incident" in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: Intense exchange of fire in Khan Younis
Israeli media platform reports on a tough incident in Gaza still under media censorship
Iran's judiciary says 71 killed in Israeli strike on Evin Prison
Trump: Make the deal, get the hostages back
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 67 Palestinians were martyred in 24 hours in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: For the first time, Prime Minister Netanyahu is signaling that he wants to end the war on Gaza
Israeli Channel 12, citing an American source: We want to have entered a path toward captive release and a ceasefire before Netanyahu arrives in Washington

Western officials refute Kiev's claim of Russia ICBM attack on Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Nov 2024 16:56
5 Min Read

Kiev's Air Force claims that Russia launched an ICBM at Dnipro, and Russia is yet to confirm.

Listen
  • x
  • Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine: Kiev
    In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, an Iskander, a Russian mobile short-range ballistic missile system launcher, is prepared to launch a missile toward Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (AP)

Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Kiev's Air Force claimed, marking the first reported use of a weapon intended for long-range nuclear strikes in the ongoing conflict.

However, two Western officials told Reuters that Russia did not use an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, contradicting the official account from Ukraine. 
 
Meanwhile, the Western officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assessment was based on initial analysis and left open the possibility that the conclusion could change.

If confirmed, the missile launch underscores the escalating tensions in the 33-month-old conflict, just days after Ukraine fired US and British-made missiles at Russian targets, which Moscow had previously warned it would consider a significant escalation.

Security experts noted that this would mark the initial military deployment of an intercontinental ballistic missile. ICBMs, designed as strategic weapons to carry nuclear warheads, play a crucial role in Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy.

In a recorded statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Today, there was a new Russian missile. All the characteristics – speed, altitude – are (of an) intercontinental ballistic (missile). An expert (investigation) is currently underway."

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the missile was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, located over 700 km (435 miles) from Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine. They did not disclose the type of missile or the nature of its warhead but indicated there was no indication it was equipped with a nuclear warhead.

When questioned about the Air Force's statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov directed reporters to seek comments from the Russian military. Meanwhile, during a weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a phone call from an unidentified individual advising her not to comment, as seen in video footage.

RS-26 Rubezh missile 

The Kiev-based outlet Ukrainska Pravda cited anonymous sources claiming the missile was an RS-26 Rubezh, a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5,800 km, according to the Arms Control Association.

Related News

Russia aims to boost grains, vegoil exports to Iran

Iran says US, 'Israel' crossed 'red line' as Araghchi heads to Moscow

The RS-26 missile, first successfully tested in 2012, is approximately 12 meters (40 feet) long and weighs 36 tons, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The CSIS also noted that the RS-26 is capable of carrying an 800-kilogram (1,765-pound) nuclear warhead.

The RS-26 is classified as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) under a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia. However, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) notes that it can function as an intermediate-range ballistic missile when equipped with heavier payloads and used at ranges below 5,500 km.

The Russian missile attack was aimed at enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Ukraine's Air Force did not specify the target of the ICBM or whether it caused any damage. However, regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that the missile attack struck an industrial enterprise in Dnipro, igniting fires and injuring two people.

Russia also launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, of which six were intercepted, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

'Unprecedented launch'

The NATO military alliance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The US European Command stated it had no information regarding the reported use of an ICBM and directed inquiries to the US Department of Defense.

"If true this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of ICBM. Not that it makes a lot of sense given their price and precision," Andrey Baklitskiy of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research posted on X.

German security expert Ulrich Kuehn remarked, "It appears that Russia has used an intercontinental ballistic missile in a war for the first time in history, targeting the civilian area of Dnipro."

Some military experts said the ICBM launch, if confirmed, could be seen as an act of deterrence by Moscow following Kiev's strikes into Russia with Western weapons this week.

"An ICBM launch can certainly be seen as a threatening gesture, potentially in response to the lifting of restrictions on ATACMS and Storm Shadow. It’s a means of deterrence," said a European military source.

Russia intercepts 5 ATACMS launched by Ukraine

Ukraine launched six US-made ATACMS missiles Tuesday targeting Russia's Bryansk region, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. The strike comes shortly after US President Joe Biden relaxed restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons, marking a significant shift as the war reaches its 1,000-day milestone.

Russia's Defense Ministry responded by announcing that its forces intercepted five of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles and partially damaged another. The debris reportedly landed on a nearby military facility, causing a fire but no injuries or structural damage.

  • Moscow
  • Storm Shadow
  • Russia
  • ATACMS
  • Kiev
  • ICBM ballistic missile
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
The site of a direct missile strike launched from Iran in Tel Aviv on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Op. True Promise 3, wave 21: Multi-warhead missiles rain on 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 23 Jun 2025
Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

Iran says targeted US Qatar air base under Op. Annunciation of Victory

  • MENA
  • 23 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Women comfort each other by a vehicle that was burnt overnight by Israeli settlers in an attack that killed three Palestinians and burnt several vehicles and damaged homes, in Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah, Thursday, June 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Settlers shoot and assault Palestinians in Hizma, Masafer Yatta

Syria's interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, walks in the presidential palace ahead of a meeting in Damascus, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP)
Politics

Syria open to Sharaa-Netanyahu meeting at UN assembly: Israeli media

Former Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani speaks with media at the Interior Ministry in Tehran, Iran, Friday, May 31, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' failed to topple Iran, lost 12-day war, Larijani says

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP)
Politics

War on Gaza failed to achieve objectives in Gaza: Israeli media

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS