A western official, speaking to ABC News in the US, has denied the Ukrainian claim that an ICBM was used by Russia overnight, stating that it was instead a ballistic missile aimed at Dnipro. This comes amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukraine claiming to have shot down six cruise missiles fired by Russia and an ICBM launched from Astrakhan. The UK has approved the use of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles by Ukraine, following the deployment of North Korean troops on Russia’s border. The US has reopened its embassy in Kyiv and provided Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines to counter Russian infantry tactics.
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief has warned against Nato strikes inside Russia, while Belarus has criticized the US for allowing Ukraine to deploy longer-range missiles and anti-personnel mines. In response, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has thanked the US for the aid package, which includes drones and artillery. The conflict has also led to embassy closures in various countries, including the US and Ireland.
Overall, the situation continues to escalate, with concerns about the use of advanced weaponry and the involvement of North Korean troops. International calls for de-escalation and avoiding actions that could further fuel the conflict have been made, as the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
