Russia used ‘experimental’ missile in Ukraine strike, not intercontinental ballistic missile: US official

A Russian strike on Ukraine which was initially thought to be an ICBM was actually an “experimental” medium-range ballistic missile, a US official said, playing down the significance of the attack.

“Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters ... but it will not be a game changer in this conflict,” the US official said.

Ukraine accused Russia of having launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as part of a barrage on the central city of Dnipro.

The US official said the missile used in the strike was not an ICBM but an “experimental medium-range ballistic missile” and Russia “likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo / Getty Images

“Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon,” the official said.

The United States briefed Ukraine and allies in recent days about Russia’s possible use of the weapon, the official said.

The US official also recalled that President Joe Biden had announced plans earlier this year to provide Ukraine with hundreds of Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defences.

“The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine to strengthen capabilities, including air defence, and put Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield,” the official said.

A grab taken from handout footage released in March shows the test firing of an ICBM belonging to Russia's nuclear deterrence forces. Photo / Russian Defence Ministry via AFP

Tension has been building between Moscow and Kyiv’s allies in the West since Ukrainian forces struck Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons earlier this week after getting the green light from Washington.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the missile strike on Dnipro bore “all the characteristics” of an ICBM attack and accused the Kremlin of “using Ukraine as a testing ground”.

Local authorities in Dnipro said an infrastructure facility was hit and two civilians were wounded.