Russia of carrying out an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which is an important escalation in the conflict there. Learn more about this attack and what it might portend in this article featuring analysis from several experts.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has acquired a new and dangerous turn with Russian’s launching of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike was a blatant act of aggression while calling it brazen as Russia resorted to new and more dangerous missiles.
Russia Accused of ICBM Attack on Dnipro. Ukrainian officials accuse
This missile attack, reportedly, has caused an enormous amount of damage in Dnipro. This missile attack has been considered one of the important parts of Russia’s military strategy to dominate this war. However, the type of missile used in the attack is unclear. The conflicting reports from Ukraine and the West make it even confusing.
Attack on Dnipro
The missile strike targeted the Dnipro region early Thursday morning, reportedly damaging industrial infrastructure and residential areas. According to Serhiy Lysak, head of the Ukrainian military administration for the Dnipropetrovsk region, several buildings were affected, including a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities. Despite the widespread damage, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties as of yet.
Zelensky reacted swiftly and strongly. He called this attack the demonstration of Russia’s readiness to ignore human life and international law. Further stated: ‘The missile, which attacked Dnipro, also demonstrated features of an ICBM, with high speed and altitude. The use of such a mighty weapon, especially against civilian targets, can definitely lead to a spiral of tension both inside Ukraine and internationally.
Do Not Think of ICBM? Yes or No
While Ukraine’s military claims Russia used an ICBM, a Western official said that was not the case, clarifying it used a ballistic missile, but it didn’t use an ICBM. This difference has posed questions about what kind of missile that was used, and strategic implications.
An intercontinental ballistic missile, for instance, is a weapon with thousands of kilometers’ range that has been engineered to be primarily used in nuclear attacks. According to experts, however, a conventional warhead seems to have been placed on the missile rather than a nuclear one. Because the thing used was an ICBM-like missile, the use still would indicate a considerable level of escalation within the conflict as a pointer that Russia intended to mount extra pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
Ukraine’s Defense Systems and the Challenges Ahead
The Ukrainian side has just received state-of-the-art missile defense systems, such as Patriot systems from the USA that can intercept incoming missiles. Although these systems have successfully destroyed certain Russian missiles, they are less effective if such threats involve high-speed or high-altitude attacks like those carried out by ICBMs. Some of these high-speed ICBMs can be intercepted, and in fact, Patriot systems recently intercepted Kinzhal missiles from Russia, but intercepting an ICBM is a much more formidable task.
What’s also important to mention is that the air defense capability of Ukraine is poor, as the country has only a few Patriot batteries. Cities like Kyiv are better protected, but smaller cities, such as Dnipro, will not have the same level of protection. This poses a major vulnerability for Ukraine, mainly as Russia will presumably raise the ante in its more advanced missiles.
Psychological Effects of Escalation
Not only is the threat of an ICBM a military concern; it is deeply psychological towards the Ukrainian people. The use of such a deadly weapon, more so in a civilian zone, compounds the fear and uncertainty felt by the population in the war-torn country. In Dnipro, the sirens went off early morning as news of the attack spread. Civilians scurried to shelters and basements as a preventive measure, symptomatic of the intense fear that such attacks inspire.
Former US Major General Mark MacCarley believed that the attack on Dnipro could serve as a warning to Ukraine’s Western allies. Russia could mean to show it is ready to engage its more destructive arsenal, like ICBMs, in response to Ukraine’s strikes with long-range missiles: ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, on Russia’s territory. This would mean Russia wanted to demonstrate its strategic capabilities and force Ukraine to alter its military plans.
Russia’s Messaging Strategy
The missile attack on Dnipro is seen by many experts as part of Russia’s broader messaging strategy. By utilizing ICBMs, even with conventional warheads, Russia is making a statement to both Ukraine and the international community. The strike could be interpreted as a reminder of Russia’s nuclear-capable arsenal and its readiness to escalate the conflict if necessary.
Other military analysts, like Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, suggest that the missile strike occurred due to Ukraine’s increased use of weapons from the West. Russia is trying to convey a message to the West that it has an ability to maneuver in terms of war the West does not fully comprehend.
Conclusion
This attack on Dnipro, with or without an ICBM, is a big deal in the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine. As both parties develop and deploy this missile weaponry and more, the possibility of further escalations increases. The antidote to this situation will most likely see Ukraine’s defense mechanisms falter further with the ever-increasing missiles from Russia, given the modest aid from the West.
While it is essential to continue monitoring these events, any employment of an ICBM or its equivalent would profoundly affect the future of the conflict. Continued diplomatic efforts might go hand in hand with military aid to prevent further escalations and end this war that has ravaged parts of Ukraine.
FAQs
Q1: Did Russia actually employ an ICBM to attack Dnipro?
While Ukraine says that Russia has fired an ICBM, it’s unclear, a senior Western official said, adding that it was a ballistic missile although not ICBM. That’s, as of now, still being determined.
Q2: What is a difference between a regular ballistic missile and an ICBM?
An ICBM has a much longer range, usually over 5,500 kilometres, and is able to deliver nuclear warheads. A run-of-the-mill ballistic missile has a much shorter range and usually is used for conventional strikes.
Q3: How strong are Ukraine’s air defense systems against sophisticated Russian missiles?
Air defense systems, such as the Patriot missile defense, have been effective against specific Russian missiles, but cannot effectively address high-speed, high-altitude missiles such as ICBMs.
Q4: Why is Dnipro a target of attack for Russians?
Dnipro is an important industrial and logistical hub in Ukraine. Its location near the front lines, along with the substantial presence of civilian populations, marks it as a key target for Russian forces to render the Ukrainian army ineffective.
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