RUSSIA used a terrifying new type of weapon in its suspected intercontinental ballistic missile strike against Ukraine, Ukrainian president Zelensky has warned.
Zelensky told his war-embattled nation that despot Vladimir Putin is using Ukraine as a “testing ground” for new weapons.
Kyiv Air Force said today that Russia had launched an ICBM at the city of Dnipro in the early hours of the morning.
If firmed up, it marks the first time the nuclear-capable missile has ever been used as part of an ongoing conflict.
Unverified footage appeared to show warheads from the ferocious R-26 Rubezh raining down on Dnipro overnight, lighting up the sky with explosions.
Zelensky, speaking from his office today in a video posted online, said the attack had “all the characteristics… speed, altitude… of an intercontinental ballistic missile”.
He added: “It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground.
“Expert examinations are underway. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground.”
And UK PM Keir Starmer blasted depot Putin for his “reckless and escalatory behaviour” after the suspected ICBM strike.
He warned that such a move would take the war to another level, calling claims of their use “deeply concerning”.
Starmer’s official spokesperson said: “If true, clearly, this would be another example of depraved, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia.”
ICBMs are designed to carry nuclear warheads and have a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres, or 3,400 miles.
The advanced technology is expensive, and possibly used to send a message of intimidation after Kyiv fired a slew of long-range Western missiles at Russia this week.
Sources and experts told AFP it was “obvious” the missile that struck Ukraine did not carry a nuclear charge, bolstering arguments that it was launched for a symbolic, political effect.
Zelensky accused Putin of doing “anything to prevent his neighbour from escaping his grasp” as the war rapidly approaches its third year mark.
“Today, our crazy neighbour has once again shown who he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom and human life in general. And how afraid he is,” the hero premier said.
The Ukrainian air force released a statement about the attack on Dnipro – saying Russia had used a variety of missiles including some cruise rockets dropped by fighter jets.
“In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation,” they said.
Putin’s Kremlin refused to confirm whether or not it launched an ICBM, instead claiming to be doing everything possible to stop nuclear escalation.
Asked whether Moscow fired the missile, which can hit targets thousands of kilometres away, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had “nothing to say on this topic”.
The overnight blitz was Russia’s revenge for Ukraine’s successful double-tap strikes this week – using Western long-range missiles.
Kyiv launched US ATACMS missiles against Putin’s territory overnight on Monday – and British Storm Shadow rockets on Wednesday.
Russia threatened to “react accordingly” as embassies in capital city Kyiv closed down yesterday in fear of a retaliation.
Moscow’s ambassador to the UK accused Britain of being “directly involved” in the Ukraine war after the Storm Shadow strike against targets deep inside Russia.
Andrei Kelin told Sky News: “Britain and the UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without Nato staff, British staff as well.”
Moscow warned for months that the use of Western long-range missiles by Ukraine would mark a major escalation.
In September, a snarling Putin said it would “mean that Nato countries are at war with Russia”.
And on Tuesday the rattled despot double down, approving a new nuclear doctrine just hours after the ATACMS strike.
The new policy allows Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states and Russia said the move should be seen as a warning to the West.
Putin’s propagandist puppets blasted threats against the US and UK on TV – with top Kremlin lap-dog Dmitry Peskov swearing that the use of Western non-nuclear missiles by Ukraine’s armies could spark a nuclear response.
While Moscow declined to comment publicly on the attack, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was told halfway through a press briefing not to comment on the suspected ICBM strike.
She could be seen answering a call in the middle of the televised conference.
The conversation was overheard via her mic – with a presumably senior diplomat saying: “Masha [Maria], ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash [defence plant in Dnipro].
“The Westerners are talking about it now. Don’t comment at all.”
She also slammed the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo, a village in Poland.
Zakharova said it had been added to a “list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons”.
The EU has said Russia’s reported ICBM attack, if confirmed, would mark a “clear escalation” by Putin.
The UK meanwhile said the strike would be “reckless and escalatory”.
Defence Sec John Healey went a step further, telling the UK Defence Committee that Russia may have been hearing up to launch a ballistic missile for months.
In crunch talks today he said: “there are unconfirmed media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine which we know they have been preparing for months”.
“The front line is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full scale Russian invasion in 2022,” he said.
“We have seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and his forces.
“They have stepped up attacks on the energy system in Ukraine ahead of winter, they have stepped up attacks on civilian centres killing children, they have deployed at least 10,000 North Korean troops to the battle front line.
“While the Ukrainian actions on the battlefield speak for themselves, be in no doubt that UK Government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine.”
