Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Firing Intercontinental Ballistic Missile at Ukraine

Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday morning, according to top officials in Kyiv.  If true, the attack would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleging that the powerful weapon was deployed to strike critical infrastructure.

“Today, there was a new Russian missile. All its features — speed, altitude — show it was an intercontinental ballistic missile. An analysis is underway,” Zelenskyy said in a video address on his Telegram channel.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated on Telegram that the missile was launched from Astrakhan in southern Russia, adding, “No information on casualties or injuries has been reported so far.”

Escalation Amid Tensions

The alleged ICBM strike follows the Biden administration’s decision last weekend to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets within Russia. Ukrainian officials had long sought this authorization, which drew sharp warnings from the Kremlin about potential consequences.

In response to the reported missile attack, a No. 10 Downing Street spokesperson described the situation as “deeply concerning.” The statement read: “If true, clearly, this would be another example of depraved, reckless, and escalatory behavior from Russia … [it] only serves to strengthen our resolve.”

However, not all officials are convinced the weapon used was an ICBM. A Western official told ABC News that the missile appeared to be a standard ballistic missile rather than an intercontinental one.

Broader Context of Conflict

This latest strike comes as both sides ramp up their use of advanced weaponry. Ukraine recently deployed British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to target Russian territory.

While Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials work to confirm the missile’s classification, the attack underscores the intensifying stakes in a conflict increasingly drawing on global military arsenals.