Image Source : France 24
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time. The missile, which carried a conventional warhead, marks a notable shift in Russia’s military strategy, as ICBMs are typically reserved for nuclear deterrence.
The use of an ICBM with a conventional warhead in Ukraine underscores Russia’s willingness to utilize its most advanced military capabilities in the conflict. While the missile did not carry a nuclear warhead, its deployment still poses significant risks, given the potential for unintended consequences and the devastating impact of a conventional ICBM strike.
Russia’s decision to fire an ICBM at Ukraine may be seen as an attempt to demonstrate its military prowess and intimidate Ukraine and its Western allies. However, the move is also likely to further strain relations between Russia and the international community, which has already imposed significant sanctions on Moscow in response to its actions in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military has reported that it detected the launch of the ICBM and took steps to mitigate its impact. While details of the strike are still emerging, it is clear that Russia’s use of an ICBM in Ukraine represents a concerning development in the conflict, with potentially far-reaching implications for regional and global security.