Russia denies ICBM use as questions arise over Dnipro attack
Russia did not use an intercontinental ballistic missile during Thursday's attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to two Western officials who spoke to Reuters. Meanwhile, CNN has obtained images of debris from Russian missiles launched at Ukraine overnight.
A Ukrainian security source released images of missile debris from the attack on Dnipro. Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards Ukraine, which would likely signify the first use of such a weapon by Moscow in over 1,000 days of war.
Informants: This assessment may still change
However, CNN reports that the fragments in the image "do not necessarily all belong to one missile." A Western official questioned whether the missile was indeed an ICBM.
Reuters, conversely, states that "Western officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, later told Reuters their initial analysis showed it was not an intercontinental ballistic missile, though they left open the possibility that conclusion could change."
The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that such a conclusion can be drawn based on preliminary analyses. They noted that this assessment may still change.
Previously, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the use of an unknown type of intercontinental ballistic missile. They claimed that the missile was launched from the Astrakhan Oblast in Russia.
"Ukraine is the first country in the world"
Furthermore, the Department of Strategic Communications of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced that "Ukraine is the first country in the world against which an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been used."
"We will do everything to ensure that Russia is remembered in history only for its crimes," the statement reads.
Simultaneously, Suspilne, the public Ukrainian broadcaster, citing sources in law enforcement, reports that Russia launched an RS-26 "Rubezh" intercontinental ballistic missile.
The television also aired new footage from the moment of the attack.
