Ukraine says Russia launched intercontinental missile; The US says it was a medium range

The attack injured two people and damaged an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, according to local officials.

The air force statement said the plane was launched from the Russian region of Astrakhan, on the Caspian Sea.

“Today our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is,” Zelenskyy said. “And how scared he is.”

British officials did not immediately confirm what type of missile Russia fired. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman Dave Pares called the reports “very concerning” but added that the intelligence services were still investigating them.

“If true, this would clearly be another example of serious, reckless and escalating behavior by Russia and it only serves to strengthen our resolve,” he said.

Defense Secretary John Healey said there were “unconfirmed reports… that Russia was firing a new ballistic missile at Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months.”

Ballistic missiles can have a range from less than 500 kilometers (310 miles) to more than 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) in the case of intercontinental missiles. ‘Ballistic’ refers to the shape of their trajectory.

Since the Cold War era, Moscow and Washington have notified each other in advance of ICBM launches to prevent the other side from mistaking a test launch as a nuclear attack.

They have continued to exchange such warnings despite rising tensions – which have increased again in recent days.

Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to push deeper into Russia — a move that drew an angry response from Moscow.

Days later, Ukraine fired several missiles at Russia, the Kremlin said. On the same day, Putin signed a new doctrine allowing a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any country backed by a nuclear power.

The doctrine is broadly worded to avoid a firm commitment to the use of nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the US, said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior to intimidate Ukraine and other countries throughout the war.

They have also expressed dismay over the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight Ukraine.