Russia launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war. While the ICBM carried a conventional, non-nuclear warhead, the move was seen as a stern warning to Ukraine and its Western allies following recent military developments. The launch comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin updated Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, allowing the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states under certain conditions.

This dramatic development occurred after the US and UK approved the use of advanced long-range missiles by Ukraine, which Kyiv utilized to strike deep within Russian territory. Russia’s ICBM launch, reportedly from the Astrakhan region, targeted central Ukraine’s Dnipro, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and industrial facilities. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed to have downed several missiles during the attack but did not confirm intercepting the ICBM. Meanwhile, Moscow has refrained from providing detailed responses, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov evading direct questions about the missile.

The war, now over 1,000 days old, continues to escalate with deadly exchanges and dwindling prospects for diplomacy. Both sides have employed advanced weaponry, intensifying global concerns. International leaders have urged Russia and Ukraine to resume peace talks, but the conflict shows no signs of abating as both nations adopt more aggressive strategies in pursuit of their objectives.