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CHILLING footage shows what is thought to be the first ever use of an intercontinental ballistic missile in war – as part of Russia’s revenge attack on Ukraine.
Video showed rockets raining down on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro – reportedly six different warheads from a nuclear-capable Russian R-26 Rubezh ICBM.
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Reports say it was fired from the Kapustin Yar test range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and struck the Yuzhmash defence plant in Dnipro.
The outdated R-26 Rubezh had never – until now – been used in anger.
It was designed to carry a deadly nuclear payload but appears to have been used for a conventional rocket attack in the early hours of this morning.
If the use of the Rubezh is confirmed, some analysts have said it will be the first combat use of an ICBM in history.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Dnipro was hit today by a “new Russian rocket”.
Referring to the suspected intercontinental ballistic missile blast, he said: “Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and people’s lives in general.”
The giant attack on Dnipro was part of a savage response by Russia to Ukraine’s double-tap long-range missiles strikes this week.
Kyiv launched US ATACMS missiles against Putin’s territory overnight on Monday – and British Storm Shadow rockets on Wednesday.
Russia warned it would “react accordingly” as embassies in capital city Kyiv closed down yesterday in fear of a revenge blitz.
Putin’s forces this morning launched an RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The Kremlin also dispatched Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles against embattled Ukraine.
Kyiv’s air force confirmed the ballistic weapon had been launched from Astrakhan, in southern Russia.
Nato scrambled F-16 warplanes above Poland amid the barrage – putting air defence and radar systems on high alert.
Unverified footage appeared to show an explosion and a fire in multiple spots across the country.
Pictures showed a house in Dnipro on fire with emergency services at the scene.
The regions of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod were also bombarded.
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Meanwhile in a bizarre moment captured on camera, 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”.
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”.
On Tuesday a rattled Putin green-lit a new nuclear doctrine just hours after Ukraine’s ATACMS strike, in retaliation to the US relaxing their missile permissions.
President Joe Biden had on Sunday approved a decision that allowed Ukraine to fire the American rockets inside Russia.
The Kremlin said it marked the crossing of a red line – officially putting nuclear retaliation on the table.
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.
Ukraine used the ATACMS rockets to hit a military depot in Bryansk – marking a major development on day 1000 of the brutal war.
Footage last night revealed the moment Ukraine reportedly fired Storm Shadow rockets inside Russia for the first time.
The unverified video showed a resident in Kursk pointing at the sky before loud booms are heard in the background.
Meanwhile other aerial footage purporting to show the strike captured rockets exploding a site in Kursk with an underground control room, Ukrainian defence experts said.
Giant plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the site, before an orange fireball engulfed the building.
Reports suggest the attack targeted a location where North Korean generals could have been present alongside senior Russian military leaders.
Russia’s defence ministry was forced to admit on Thursday that at least two of the Storm Shadow rockets had been fired by Ukraine.
It claimed two of them were shot down.
Fragments of the bunker-busting rockets were found in the village of Marine, Kursk, on Wednesday.
Up to 12 missiles were launched by a Ukrainian aircraft, according to reports.
Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles are a nightmare for enemies as they are capable of dodging air defences.
The £800,000 weapons – which were already being fired within Ukraine – use GPS to precisely hit targets, and can travel at 600mph.
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