This Thursday, a hail of missiles hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, leaving a trail of destruction and increasing tension in the conflict. Among the projectiles launched, the Ukrainian authorities assured that there were a supposed intercontinental basalt missile (ICMB) RS-26 Rubezh, a statement which, if confirmed, would mark an unprecedented event in military history: the use of an ICBM in actual combat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attack, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. “All the characteristics – speed, altitude – indicate that it is an intercontinental ballistic missile. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a training ground” he said.
However, defense experts have cast doubt on this claim. Guillermo Pulido, Defense and Security analyst, explained: “To be considered intercontinental, a missile must have a range greater than 5,500 kilometers. The RS-26 only reaches about 3,000 kilometersalthough it could exceed 5,500 if carrying a very light load or no load at all.
Although the Ukrainian version has not been confirmed, if true, it would be the first time an ICBM would be used in a war scenario. In addition, the launch would have required prior notification to the United States under international agreements, which apparently did not happen. So far, Europe and the White House have avoided making statements on the subject.
The silence of Moscow and Zajárova’s open mic
As kyiv’s accusations attracted international attention, the Russian Foreign Ministry held a press conference led by its spokesperson, Maria Zakharova. An open microphone captured a revealing conversation:
“Do not comment on the ballistic missile attackWesterners started talking about it.”
The Dnipro attack comes a few days later Ukraine to carry out long-range missile offensives supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom, which could have led to an intensification of Russian tactics.
