Demonstration of nuclear strike capability: did russia launch the Rubizhne ICBM?
Kyiv • UNN
Russia launched an ICBM from the Astrakhan region along with other missiles during the November 21 attack. Experts consider this a demonstration of the possibility of a nuclear strike.
On the morning of November 21 , the Russian army launched an intercontinental ballistic missile during another attack on Ukraine. The day before, information was circulating about the threat of the enemy's use of the Rubizh intermediate-range ballistic missile. Experts of the military portal Defense Express, believe that today Russia demonstrated the possibility of a nuclear strike, reports UNN.
Details
According to a report from the Ukrainian Air Force Command , on the morning of November 21, Russia launched a combined attack using seven X-101 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS, of which six were shot down, and one X-47M2 Kinzhal from a MiG-31.
In addition, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation. Its specific type was not specified. However, the day before, the media disseminated information about the threat of the enemy's use of the RS-26 “Rubizh” medium-range ballistic missile.
Defense Express noted that only 6 of the 7 cruise missiles were reported downed, but stated that “the other missiles were not affected.
Given that the RS-26 Rubezh, and even more so intercontinental ballistic missiles (e.g., Topol or Yars) are designed to deliver weapons of mass destruction, this only means that Russia has demonstrated the possibility of a nuclear strike
Against this background, there are still questions that the report of the Air Force Command does not answer. In particular, where exactly did the Russian army aim its ballistic missile, and what kind of equipment was in it.
As explained, the point is that it is possible in theory to equip a conventional high explosive warhead on a conventional Rubizh, Topol, or Yars, but it makes no practical sense because of the enormous cost of such missiles. Especially when most targets in Ukraine are within range of Russian Iskander and other weapons.
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Defense Express also adds that the vast majority of Russia's long-range missiles can be nuclear armed. These include Iskander, Kinzhal, X-55 and X-102 cruise missiles, and many others. Therefore, there is a question as to the point of using a medium-range or even intercontinental missile against Ukraine, even for a nuclear strike.
And the enemy has already used cruise missiles X-55 with massive models of nuclear warheads. That is, it is quite possible that the launched Russian ballistic missile was equipped with warhead simulators, Defense Express believes .
It is also questionable whether the United States was warned about the launch and its direction, since the announcement of such launches is a prerequisite for preventing the triggering of a missile attack warning system and the launch of missiles in response to a nuclear counterattack scenario, experts emphasized.
Recall
The Russians are constantly trying to modify and modernize all types of missiles and drones they have, which they use to attack Ukraine. In a commentary to UNN , KFI experts explainedwhat features are involved and what role Western components play in the changes to enemy weapons. The enemy uses not only Western components. According to Oleksandr Ruvin, director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, components for UAVs used by the enemy to attack Ukraine are supplied by about 50 manufacturers from China.
In addition, experts of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise found that the Russian missiles X-69used by the occupiers to hit Ukraine are made of several types of weapons and have foreign components.
