In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has reported that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting the city of Dnipro. This marks the first alleged use of such a weapon in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the missile's speed and altitude were consistent with those of an ICBM, though specific evidence has yet to be disclosed. The attack resulted in injuries to two individuals and damage to several facilities.
Western officials have expressed skepticism regarding Ukraine's claim. An anonymous source suggested that the weapon used was a shorter-range ballistic missile, similar to those previously employed by Russia in the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the matter.
Concurrently, Russia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, asserted that Britain is now "directly involved" in the Ukraine war. In an interview with Sky News, Kelin claimed that the conflict "could not be happening" without NATO and British involvement, implying that the UK's support for Ukraine has escalated its role in the war.
The UK government has consistently provided military aid to Ukraine, including long-range missiles. However, British officials have maintained that this support does not equate to direct involvement in the conflict. The UK's stance is that its assistance is aimed at enabling Ukraine to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression.
These developments occur amid heightened tensions following Ukraine's use of US-approved ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow rockets against Russian targets. In response, Russia has intensified its military actions, including the reported ICBM strike. The international community remains concerned about the potential for further escalation and the broader implications for regional and global security.
Image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin/Wikimedia Commons
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