ICBM Strike: In a big escalation of the continued warfare, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the RS-26 “Rubezh,” on the Ukrainian metropolis of Dnipro. The assault, carried out from Astrakhan in southern Russia at 5 a.m. native time, marks the primary identified use of an ICBM within the battle, signalling a chilling warning to NATO and Ukraine alike.
The strike occurred on November 21, hours after marking 1,000 days since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Whereas the warheads had been reportedly non-nuclear, the deployment of such a high-capability missile underscores the deepening depth of the battle, which reveals no indicators of decision. The beautiful movies of the assault has gone viral on social media.
BREAKING: Unimaginable video footage reveals Russian ICBM missile strikes towards Dnipro in east central Ukraine.
That is the primary time in human historical past that ICBM’s have been utilized in warfare.
We’re inching nearer to WWIII by the day. pic.twitter.com/FUgh2tbkUN
— DK (@1Nicdar) November 21, 2024
A Response to Ukraine’s Lengthy-Vary Strikes
The missile strike follows Ukraine’s use of superior long-range weapons, together with U.Ok.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS, to focus on Russian territory. Russia’s International Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned these actions, warning of additional escalation and reiterating President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear warnings. Lavrov additionally highlighted Russia’s up to date nuclear doctrine, elevating fears of broader implications.
What Is the RS-26 “Rubezh”?
The RS-26 “Rubezh” is a mobile-ground ballistic missile system derived from the RS-24 “Yars,” itself a modernized model of the older Soviet Topol-M system. First examined in 2012, the RS-26 is actually a shorter model of the RS-24 with one fewer stage. With a variety of 5,000–6,000 kilometers, the RS-26 has the aptitude to focus on Europe, the U.S., and even the Asia-Pacific area.
Designed primarily to ship nuclear warheads, the RS-26 carries a large payload of 1.5 tons, making it a formidable weapon even with standard warheads. The missile follows a excessive ballistic trajectory, complicating interception and heightening its risk degree.
Legacy of the RSD-10 “Pioneer”
The RS-26 is taken into account a contemporary iteration of the Soviet RSD-10 “Pioneer” missile, which was dismantled beneath the Intermediate-Vary Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty within the 1990s. Nevertheless, Russia resumed manufacturing of those missiles beneath President Putin, a transfer seen as a violation of the now-defunct treaty.
A Message to NATO
By deploying the RS-26 in a standard strike, Russia is sending a transparent sign to NATO and its allies concerning the stakes in Ukraine. The missile’s vary and capabilities underline its potential as a deterrent towards any additional Western intervention. With its capacity to hold nuclear warheads and strike huge distances, the RS-26 represents a grim reminder of how the battle might escalate additional.
