Janice R. Andrews
In a significant escalation, Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting Ukraine for the first time. Fired from Astrakhan near the Caspian Sea, the missile struck Dnipro in eastern Ukraine, approximately 1,100 kilometers away. While the missile carried a conventional warhead, its use sends a clear and alarming signal from President Vladimir Putin.
The missile, identified as the RS-26 Rubezh, is capable of carrying an 800 kg warhead over a range of 5,800 kilometers. Although this strike did not involve nuclear payloads, it highlights Russia’s readiness to deploy advanced weaponry, raising concerns about what may follow. Ukrainian media described the attack as a calculated move to display military might without immediate nuclear escalation.
This development marks a critical point in the conflict, showing Putin’s willingness to push boundaries in a war already fraught with tension. The use of such a long-range missile underscores the growing intensity of the situation and leaves the international community bracing for potential further escalation. As the world watches closely, questions loom about how this latest act will reshape the dynamics of the conflict.
