Thu Nov 21 11:55:01 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine Accuses Russia of Launching First ICBM Strike
**KYIV, Ukraine (November 21, 2024)** – Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Dnipro overnight, marking what would be the first use of such a weapon in the ongoing war. While the exact missile type remains unspecified, the air force stated the missile originated from Russia’s Astrakhan region. The attack, which also included eight other missiles, resulted in two injuries and damage to an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center. Ukrainian forces reportedly intercepted six of the missiles.
The ICBM strike follows just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons. This development, coupled with the alleged ICBM use, raises serious concerns about potential escalation. Although the range of an ICBM seems excessive for targeting Ukraine, its capacity to carry nuclear warheads underscores the gravity of the situation.
The incident comes amidst heightened tensions. Ukraine recently launched several long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. and the U.K. into Russian territory. Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have shot down these missiles, along with other Ukrainian ordnance. The escalating conflict has also seen the reported arrival of North Korean troops supporting Russia, a development that prompted a shift in U.S. policy regarding the provision of longer-range missiles to Ukraine. Putin has previously warned against such actions, threatening escalation, and the new nuclear doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response to conventional attacks on Russia supported by nuclear powers. While the doctrine leaves room for interpretation, it clearly signals a greater willingness to utilize nuclear options.
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