November 21, 2024: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, marking the first known use of such a weapon in the war. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the attack on Thursday, stating that the missile was launched by the Russian Air Force.

The missile, identified as the RS-26 Rubezh, has a range of 5,800 kilometers and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though Ukrainian authorities clarified that it was not armed with a nuclear payload during the launch. The RS-26 Rubezh is a strategic weapon in Russia’s nuclear arsenal, designed primarily for long-range strikes, but there has been no indication that this missile was used in a nuclear capacity.

The Russian government has yet to comment on the missile launch, following Ukraine’s statement. The timing of the attack comes just days after Ukraine fired British-made Storm Shadow missiles at Russian targets, and following a series of missile strikes inside Russian territory earlier in the week. Ukraine also launched six US-made ATACMS missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region, marking a sharp increase in the use of advanced Western weaponry by Ukrainian forces.

The use of an ICBM by Russia represents a significant step in the ongoing conflict, which has now lasted more than 1,000 days since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While the exact objectives of the ICBM strike remain unclear, analysts suggest it may be a response to recent Ukrainian missile attacks within Russian territory.

ICBMs, as part of Russia's nuclear deterrent, are considered one of the most powerful tools in the country's military arsenal. Though the missile used on Thursday did not carry a nuclear warhead, the launch underscores the increasingly volatile nature of the conflict and the growing risk of escalation between Russia and Ukraine.

The war, which has devastated much of Ukraine and strained international relations, continues to show signs of intensifying with the involvement of more advanced weaponry and strategic strikes on both sides.