First ICBM Strike on Dnipro: Russia’s Mysterious Move, Ukraine Claims

Kyiv (The Uttam Hindu): Ukraine has accused Russia of using an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to strike the city of Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine, marking the first reported deployment of such a weapon in the ongoing war. The country's air force revealed the details in a statement on Telegram, indicating that the missile was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region overnight.

First Use of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile in Ukraine War: Russia Targets Dnipro, Ukraine SaysWhile the specific type of missile has not been confirmed, the use of an ICBM points to an escalation in the intensity of the conflict. This development occurs amidst growing international tensions, with reports of North Korean troops joining Russian forces on the battlefield, signaling the increasing internationalization of the war and complicating the geopolitical situation.

An ICBM is a long-range missile capable of delivering either nuclear or conventional warheads over distances greater than 5,500 kilometers. These missiles are designed for strategic military objectives, launched into space, and follow a ballistic trajectory before re-entering the Earth's atmosphere to precisely strike their targets. ICBMs can be fired from silos, submarines, or mobile platforms and travel at hypersonic speeds, making them hard to intercept. Typically used as a deterrent in global security, the reported deployment of an ICBM in active combat represents a serious escalation in the conflict.