Early on November 21, Russia launched a ferocious ICBM missile attack on Ukraine's city of Dnipro. This marks the first use of intercontinental ballistic missiles in this conflict, potentially using Russia's RS-26 Rubezh, fired from Astrakhan region.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed this attack, alongside strikes from Kinzhal hypersonic and KH-101 cruise missiles, damaging critical infrastructures. The weapons used were non-nuclear.
For cruise missile launches, Russia employed its long-range bombers Tu-95MS from Volgograd, while Kinzhal missiles were launched from MiG-31K fighter jets flying from Tambov.
Russia asserts that its air defense systems shot down two British Storm Shadow missiles, which were fired by Ukraine in retaliation. This marks Ukraine's first use of these missiles against Russian targets.
Source: aajtak
The Ukrainian intelligence had speculated such an attack, predicting a launch of RS-26 Rubezh missiles from Kapustin Yar Air Base, known as Astrakhan. These missiles could potentially be equipped with low-yield nuclear weapons or potent conventional warheads.
Weighing 36,000 kilograms, this missile can carry four 150/300 kiloton warheads simultaneously using MIRV technology, capable of targeting multiple sites. It is also designed to carry Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles, delivering formidable power.
This missile has a range of about 6,000 kilometers, reaching speeds of 24,500 km/hr, making it indomitable by any global air defense systems. It can be launched via a road-mobile launcher.
Tracking and intercepting Kinzhal missiles is a challenging task. These air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) are highly accurate, deadly, and travel at speeds 10 times that of sound—between 6,100 and 12,348 km/hr. They boast a max range of 2,000 kilometers.
Source: aajtak
The Kinzhal hypersonic missile can be outfitted with a 480-kilogram nuclear or conventional warhead. Also known as the Dagger, Russia previously deployed this missile to demolish an underground warehouse in southwestern Ukraine last year.
According to Russia's state media outlet TASS, Russia showcased its hypersonic missiles for the first time in 2018 during the Victory Day Military Parade in Red Square, commemorating the 73rd anniversary of its victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. The missile is mounted on MiG-31K fighter jets.
