Russia launches a series of missile strikes against Ukraine, with President Putin stating that the strikes are in response to Ukraine using western weaponry to strike targets deeper inside Russia. The US has put sanctions on Russia’s third-largest bank and approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine.
International Reaction
- The US embassy in Kyiv is expected to reopen after closing due to a fake warning of a massive attack spread by Russia.
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Hungary will install an air defense system near its border with Ukraine.
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A retired US Major General suggested that Russia’s attack on Dnipro could be a warning that it can also target the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv.
Putin’s Statement
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President Vladimir Putin called the strike a response to Ukraine using western weaponry to strike targets deeper inside Russia.
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He said that with this development, the regional conflict in Ukraine has acquired elements of a global character.
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Putin also stated that Russia would have the right to hit states whose weapons Ukraine uses to strike Russia.
Sanctions and Military Developments
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The US has put sanctions on Russia’s third-largest bank by assets.
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Ukraine has eased punishment for first-time deserters as its forces struggle to maintain enough recruits to fend off Russian advances.
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Russia claims it shot down Storm Shadow cruise missiles but did not specify if the missiles were shot down over Ukrainian or Russian territory.
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The Biden administration approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, in another major policy change this week seen as aiming at shoring up Ukraine’s faltering frontlines.
Ukraine Updates: Missile Strikes and Escalation
Summary of Recent Events
The situation in Ukraine continues to escalate as Russia launches a series of missile strikes against the country.
Initial Reports
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On Thursday morning, Ukraine’s air force accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro.
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A Western official countered that the missile launched by Russia was a ballistic missile, but not an ICBM.
Details of the Strike
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The strike occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk region, causing injuries and damage to a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities.
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Ukraine reported that all but one of the cruise missiles fired were shot down by their air defenses.
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A video obtained by CNN shows the moment missiles struck the Dnipro region early Thursday morning.
Russia’s Response
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was caught on hot mic discussing a ballistic missile strike on Yuzmash, a Soviet name for Pivdenmash, a massive aerospace plant in Dnipro.
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She advised not to comment on the incident.
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Russia has listed a major Western military base in Poland as a potential target.
Air Defense Systems in Place
Ukraine has batteries of Patriot missile defense systems supplied by the United States and Germany that are capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missile warheads. However, the effectiveness of these air defenses against ICBMs remains uncertain.
Russian Military Activity Continues
Russian military activity continues to escalate in the region, with reports indicating significant damage to industrial enterprises and private houses. The Ukrainian security source has provided photos of debris from the attack on Dnipro city, but it is unclear whether all the fragments belong to one missile.
Global Implications
The use of a ballistic missile by Russia has raised concerns about global implications, with some analysts suggesting that it may be a warning to target Kyiv if Ukraine continues to use longer-range missiles provided by the US and Britain. The Biden administration has approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in response to this escalation.
Sanctions Imposed on Russian Bank
The US has imposed sanctions on Russia’s third-largest bank, citing its role in supporting Russia’s military activities in Ukraine.
Analysis
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An analyst suggests that Russia may be trying to send a message to Kyiv’s Western backers with the alleged ICBM strike.
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Although an ICBM can be used to deliver a nuclear warhead, Thursday morning’s attack on Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region was not nuclear.
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The use of the powerful long-range weapon may have been intended to send a signal to the West after Ukraine fired American ATACMS and British-French-made Storm Shadow missiles deep into Russia for the first time.
Ukraine Updates: Russia Fires Ballistic Missiles at Dnipro
Multiple Reports Indicate Russian Military Activity in Region
Russia has been accused of launching ballistic missiles at the city of Dnipro, with multiple reports indicating significant military activity in the region. The Ukrainian air force initially claimed that an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was fired by Russia, but a Western official later clarified that it was a ballistic missile, not an ICBM.
Details of Attack Still Unclear
The details of the attack are still unclear, with Ukraine’s military accusing Russia of using an ICBM to target Dnipro. However, a Western official has cast doubt on whether the missile was indeed an ICBM, and its impact is still being assessed.
