Confusion over alleged Russian ICBM use in Ukraine attack
Russia did not use an intercontinental ballistic missile during Thursday's attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, two Western officials told Reuters. Meanwhile, CNN obtained images of debris from Russian missiles launched at Ukraine overnight.
12:07 PM EST, November 21, 2024
A Ukrainian security source released images of missile debris from the attack on the city of Dnipro. Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards Ukraine, which would likely be the first use of such a weapon by Moscow in over 1,000 days of war.
Informants: This assessment may still change
However, according to CNN, the fragments shown in the image "do not necessarily all belong to one missile." A Western official questioned whether the missile was an ICBM.
Reuters, on the other hand, reports that "Western officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, later told Reuters their initial analysis showed it was not an intercontinental ballistic missile, though they left open the possibility that conclusion could change."
The sources, who spoke anonymously, stated that such a conclusion can be drawn based on preliminary analyses. They noted that this assessment may still change.
Previously, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the use of an unknown type of intercontinental ballistic missile. They stated that the missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast in Russia.
"Ukraine is the first country in the world"
Furthermore, the Department of Strategic Communications of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that "Ukraine is the first country in the world against which an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been used."
"We will do everything to ensure that Russia is remembered in history only for its crimes," the statement reads.
At the same time, Suspilne, the public Ukrainian broadcaster, citing sources in law enforcement, reports that Russia launched an RS-26 "Rubezh" intercontinental ballistic missile.
The television also published new footage from the moment of the attack.