Russia has admitted it used a missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons during an Ukraine attack overnight.
The Russian Defence Ministry has said it used a nuclear-capable missile during an attack on Ukraine overnight on Thursday, local time.
Moscow said it was in response to it’s claim that Ukraine targeted one of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s properties. It’s a claim that has been rubbished by just about everyone – except Russia - including the US.
Explosions were reported in the western city of Lviv after the threat of an intermediate-range ballistic missile was detected from Russia’s Kapustin Yar testing site just before midnight, the Ukrainian air force said in a statement early on Friday.
It was only the second time Moscow has used a “Oreshnik” missile in combat in Ukraine.
The missile did not carry any nuclear weapons. Indeed it carried no explosives at all but he missile is so large that simply it hitting a target causes an explosion.
No one was killed in that attack but four people died in a separate bombardment of the capital Kyiv.
“A clear reaction from the world is needed,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
“Above all from the United States, whose signals Russia truly pays attention to.
“Russia must receive signals that it is its obligation to focus on diplomacy, and must feel consequences every time it again focuses on killings and the destruction of infrastructure.”
As of Friday, US time, there has been no response from the White House.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the use of the missile was “a clear escalation against Ukraine and meant as a warning to Europe and to the US”.
The blasts came closer to the border of NATO member Poland than a 2024 strike involving the Oreshnik missile.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi wrote on Telegram that the explosions damaged unspecified infrastructure.
— with the New York Post
