Historical Use of Intercontinental Missile Against Civilians Marks Escalation in Ukraine Conflict
In a shocking development, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that Russia has employed an intercontinental ballistic missile, the RS26 Rubetzh, against civilian targets for the first time in history. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as the missile is part of one of the most powerful weapons in the Russian nuclear triad. The missile reportedly flew for fifteen minutes, deploying several explosive warheads, each equipped with six submunitions, detailing the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed through social media that investigations into this unprecedented act are ongoing, highlighting the missile's speed and altitude, which indicate intercontinental ballistic capabilities.
The missile launch was executed from Astrakhan in the Caucasus, approximately 1000 kilometers away, striking the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine. This event coincided with simultaneous attacks involving a hypersonic Kinzhal missile and seven cruise missiles, signaling a strong military response from Russia.
In the wake of attacks on Russian territory by missiles supplied by the United States, United Kingdom, and France earlier this week, this missile strike by Russia appears to be a calculated warning. The Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, remarked that the missile launch sends a message to the West, asserting that reckless decisions by these nations will not go unanswered. Peskov emphasized that the missile's deployment is a direct response to the usage of long-range Western weapons targeting Russian soil.
Ukraine has condemned the attack, labeling it a groundbreaking historical moment where an intercontinental ballistic missile has been utilized against a civilian population. This assertion has been echoed across multiple communication channels, with military officials expressing grave concerns over the implications of this aggressive act.
The RS26 Rubetzh missile is notable for its long-range capabilities and payload specifications, boasting a maximum range of 6000 kilometers and a weight capacity of 800 kilograms. Reports suggest that the missile is engineered for nuclear weapon delivery, accommodating one to four independently targetable warheads. Each of these warheads can have an explosive yield of 300 kilotons, underscoring the grave risk posed by their employment in conflict.
The use of such powerful weaponry against civilian targets raises critical questions concerning the future of the conflict and the international community's response. As the situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, contemplating the repercussions of this historic escalation.
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