Just over 1,000 days since the start of the war, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported that Russia has launched for the first time against its territory an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Astrakhan region. It is believed to be the RS-26 Rubezh, one of Russia's most modern nuclear triad devices, although it did not carry any warhead.
Volodymyr Zelenski stated in a video on social media that "our crazy neighbor (...) is using Ukraine as a testing ground" and claims that this unprecedented attack shows "how scared (Vladimir Putin) is." According to the Ukrainian president, the speed and altitude indicate that it is an intercontinental ballistic missile, although "the investigation is ongoing."
The Kiev army report specifies that Russia has launched an attack with missiles "against factories and critical infrastructure" in the city of Dnipro. Additionally, they launched another aeroballistic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles. Ukrainian defenses were able to shoot down six of the seven cruise missiles, but did not intercept the intercontinental ballistic missile or the Kinzhal. Ukraine claims that the missiles that were not shot down did not cause "substantial" damage.
The Kremlin spokesperson, who did not confirm the intercontinental missile launch, and the Foreign Ministry spokesperson received a call during a press conference not to comment on the issue.