In a major-shift of military tactics Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from its south-eastern Astrakhan territory during todays morning assault on Ukraine: this marks the first deployment of such a high-powered weapon in the two-and-half-year conflict
The strike targeting Dnipros critical-infrastructure comes right after Ukraine conducted operations inside Russian borders using British and US-supplied missiles (which Moscow had long-stated would be viewed as a serious escalation of hostilities). Ukrainian air-defense systems managed to intercept several incoming threats including six Kh-101 cruise-missiles during the assault
These long-range weapons — capable of carrying both nuclear and non-nuclear payloads — can strike targets thousands of kilometers away. The air-force statement from General Valerii Zaluzhnyi didnt specify which exact ICBM type was used or if it caused any damage to its intended target; however the use of such powerful weaponry shows a clear change in Russias approach
The attack happened as both sides show increased military activity with:
- More frequent long-range strikes
- Use of advanced missile systems
- Targeting of strategic facilities
- Enhanced air-defense operations
The Ukrainian military command noted that this mornings attack focused on industrial-complexes in Dnipro but specific details about damages werent disclosed