Official statements from governments reported by international news agencies

Russia Launches Non-Nuclear ICBM from Astrakhan at Dnipro in First Combat Use

Nov 21, 2024, 09:01 AM

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched a non-nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Astrakhan region towards Ukraine at around 5 AM local time on Thursday morning. The missile, possibly an RS-26 Rubezh, targeted the city of Dnipro, marking the first time such a powerful, long-range weapon has been used by Russia during the war and potentially the first combat use of an ICBM in history. The conventionally armed missile included reentry vehicles from a Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) system. Footage showed glowing reentry vehicles hitting the ground. Ukrainian authorities are assessing the damage caused by the strike. Russia has not commented on the use of the ICBM. The use of such a missile is seen as a significant escalation in the conflict.