Ukraine Alleges Russia Fired Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Facts

• Ukraine alleged that Russia, for the first time in the war, fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro on Thursday.^[1]
• Sources who spoke to the Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda claimed the weapon used was an RS-26 Rubezh, adding that it was fired alongside eight traditional missiles — six of which were said to be shot down — without specifying what happened to the ICBM.^[1]
• However, a Western official cited by ABC News disputed the claim, stating instead that it was a traditional ballistic missile, similar to what Russia has frequently deployed in the course of the war with Ukraine.^[2]
• Nonetheless, two civilians were reported injured in the attack on Dnipro. Ukrainian officials from the region said an 'industrial facility' was damaged alongside two houses and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities.^[3]
• In a separate attack, at least 17 civilians were injured in the city of Kryvyi Rih. Officials said that an administrative building was damaged alongside two residential buildings.^[4][5]

Sources: ^[1]Ukrainska Pravda (a), ^[2]ABC News, ^[3]Ukrainska Pravda (b), ^[4]UNN and ^[5]Ukrainska Pravda (c).

Narratives

• Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska Pravda. For the first time in the war, Russia has deployed an intercontinental ballistic missile over Ukraine. This is extremely significant as these weapons are capable of carrying nuclear-capable warheads.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by ABC News. The weapon deployed by Russia did not appear to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, but rather a traditional missile with a much shorter range.

Predictions