Russia fires ICBM, multiple missiles in escalating attack on Ukraine

On the morning of November 21, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Ukraine, including the firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). 

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched the ICBM from the Astrakhan region, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

Additionally, a MiG-31K fighter jet from the Tambov region released an air-launched ballistic missile, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal.

Strategic bombers Tu-95MS, based in the Volgograd region, also launched seven Kh-101 cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defences were able to intercept and destroy six of these missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the remaining missiles caused no significant damage.

This escalation follows a series of Russian missile strikes on various Ukrainian targets, which have raised tensions in the ongoing conflict.

To recap, tensions have escalated this week as the war reached its 1,000th day. Russian war correspondents on Telegram and an anonymous official reported that Ukraine launched British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, on November 20. However, a spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff denied any information, and Russia did not immediately confirm the strikes. The extent of any damage remains unclear.

On November 19, Ukraine also fired US ATACMS missiles into Russian territory after President Joe Biden authorised their use, two months before he is due to leave office and Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Trump has criticised the billions in aid sent to Ukraine under Biden and suggested he would seek to end the conflict, though without detailing how. Both sides believe Trump may push for peace talks, which have not been held since the early stages of the war, and are aiming to strengthen their positions ahead of potential negotiations.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that the use of Western weapons to strike deep into Russian territory would significantly escalate the war. Kyiv argues that such capabilities are necessary to target Russian rear bases supporting the invasion.

In response to threats of a major airstrike, the United States temporarily closed its embassy in Kyiv on November 20 but reopened it the following day.

By Aghakazim Guliyev