Sun Nov 24 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Russia Tests New Missile, Issues Nuclear Warning After Ukraine Strikes

**KYIV, UKRAINE** – In a significant escalation of the war in Ukraine, Russia launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile, a test of a weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The attack, confirmed by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. officials, follows Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using newly supplied longer-range Western weapons.

Putin, in a televised address, explicitly linked the missile test to Ukraine’s use of U.S. and British-supplied missiles, warning that Russia reserves the right to strike countries providing weapons to Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory. He stated that the strike was a “test” and that Russia believes it has the right to retaliate against countries enabling attacks on its facilities.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the missile launch, identifying it as a new type based on the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM design. Deputy Defense Department press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the missile launch was a “concern” and that Russia had given prior notification through nuclear risk reduction channels.

While the missile’s deployment is a significant escalation, U.S. officials downplayed its impact on the overall conflict. A U.S. official stated that while Russia may be attempting intimidation, the new weapon will not be a game-changer. The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to continue supplying Ukraine with military aid.

The incident comes after Ukraine used long-range Western missiles to strike targets within Russia, prompting Moscow’s warned response. Initial reports of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) strike on Dnipro were later corrected by both U.S. officials and Putin himself. The attacks resulted in injuries in both Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih.

Analysts suggest that while Russia’s rhetoric is alarming, the likelihood of nuclear escalation remains low. The recent battlefield successes for Russia and potential diplomatic repercussions suggest that nuclear use is not currently in Moscow’s strategic interest. The use of the intermediate-range missile, analysts suggest, is primarily a warning signal to both Ukraine and the West. The impact of the West relaxing restrictions on Ukraine’s use of longer-range weapons on the battlefield remains to be seen.

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