By DAVID AVERRE AND OLIVIA CHRISTIE AND WILL STEWART

Published: 09:21 GMT, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 09:22 GMT, 21 November 2024

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Russia this morning allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine just one day after Kyiv's forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadow missiles. The strike comes after Ukraine used U.S. and British missiles to demolish targets inside Russia this week, something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation.

Russia this morning allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine just one day after Kyiv’s forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadow missiles. The strike comes after Ukraine used U.S. and British missiles to demolish targets inside Russia this week, something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation.

Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia 's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning - the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow 's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes.

Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia 's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning - the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow 's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes.

Ukraine’s air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia ‘s southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning – the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow ‘s forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 ‘Frontier’ missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes. 

The Frontier missile is a terrifying, nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine's air defences would be powerless to intercept. Kyiv has not suffered an ICBM strike since the war began in February 2022, with Russia's military deploying smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones.

The Frontier missile is a terrifying, nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine's air defences would be powerless to intercept. Kyiv has not suffered an ICBM strike since the war began in February 2022, with Russia's military deploying smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones.

The Frontier missile is a terrifying, nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine’s air defences would be powerless to intercept. Kyiv has not suffered an ICBM strike since the war began in February 2022, with Russia’s military deploying smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry said this morning the opening of a new U.S. ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland would 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger' and had been added to a list of possible targets for Russia to strike. The air defence base, situated in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast forming part of a broader NATO missile shield, was opened on November 13.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry said this morning the opening of a new U.S. ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland would 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger' and had been added to a list of possible targets for Russia to strike. The air defence base, situated in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast forming part of a broader NATO missile shield, was opened on November 13.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said this morning the opening of a new U.S. ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland would ‘increase the overall level of nuclear danger’ and had been added to a list of possible targets for Russia to strike. The air defence base, situated in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast forming part of a broader NATO missile shield, was opened on November 13. 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said today: 'This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies... Given the nature and level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction.' The Russian attack this morning targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, the air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war launched by Russia in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said today: 'This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies... Given the nature and level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction.' The Russian attack this morning targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, the air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war launched by Russia in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said today: ‘This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies… Given the nature and level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction.’ The Russian attack this morning targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, the air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war launched by Russia in Ukraine.

The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles, and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. Reports said Yuzhmash, a prominent Ukrainian state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer - was also hit in this morning's assault. NATO scrambled F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland and ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the 'highest state of readiness' amid the attack, while Ukraine's air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles.

The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles, and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. Reports said Yuzhmash, a prominent Ukrainian state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer - was also hit in this morning's assault. NATO scrambled F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland and ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the 'highest state of readiness' amid the attack, while Ukraine's air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles.

The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles, and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. Reports said Yuzhmash, a prominent Ukrainian state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer – was also hit in this morning’s assault. NATO scrambled F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland and ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the ‘highest state of readiness’ amid the attack, while Ukraine’s air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles.

Some Russian missiles also reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address today: 'We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.'

Some Russian missiles also reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address today: 'We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.'

Some Russian missiles also reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine’s annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address today: ‘We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.’

This morning's bombardment of Ukraine also comes less than 24 hours after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer.

This morning's bombardment of Ukraine also comes less than 24 hours after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer.

This morning’s bombardment of Ukraine also comes less than 24 hours after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer.

According to Moskovky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 'Frontier' rocket. 'In this situation, we will not use nuclear weapons, but the neo-Nazis and their Western allies, I think, will appreciate in the coming days the blow that will be dealt to Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,' he said. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.'

According to Moskovky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 'Frontier' rocket. 'In this situation, we will not use nuclear weapons, but the neo-Nazis and their Western allies, I think, will appreciate in the coming days the blow that will be dealt to Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,' he said. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.'

According to Moskovky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be ‘trembling’ over the use of the RS-26 ‘Frontier’ rocket. ‘In this situation, we will not use nuclear weapons, but the neo-Nazis and their Western allies, I think, will appreciate in the coming days the blow that will be dealt to Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,’ he said. ‘Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.’

Putin on Tuesday provocatively signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'.

Putin on Tuesday provocatively signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'.

Putin on Tuesday provocatively signed off changes to the country’s laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv ‘wanted to escalate’ and that Russia would ‘react accordingly’.

The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border.

The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border.

The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President’s close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia’s security council said it meant ‘World War III’. It came after Kyiv launched six ‘ATACMS’ rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border.

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Putin’s revenge: Moscow unleashes ICBM for first time in Ukraine blitz

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