Russia Fires ICBM at Ukraine in Stern Warning Amid U.S. Authorization for Long-Range Strikes and North Korean Support

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, using a conventional (non-nuclear) warhead. The strike follows a recent shift in Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, approved on Tuesday, which now allows for a nuclear response to a large-scale attack on Russia using conventional missiles, drones, or aircraft. The updated doctrine also includes any critical threat to Russia's sovereignty, as well as attacks on Belarus or aggression by coalition states, which would be treated as an act of war by the entire group. This change has raised tensions, with concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation.

The missile launch occurred shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use powerful long-range American weapons inside Russian territory, specifically targeting the strategically important southern region of Kursk. Moscow has stationed nearly 50,000 troops in Kursk following a surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive over the summer. The U.S. aims to assist Ukraine in holding the region, countering Russia's attempts to use it as a potential bargaining chip in any future peace negotiations.

These developments come as North Korean troops have reportedly deployed in support of Russia's efforts, marking a notable increase in international involvement in the conflict. Meanwhile, Western nations, including the United States and United Kingdom, continue to provide advanced weaponry to Ukraine, bolstering its defensive and offensive capabilities.

As part of the recent changes in its military doctrine, Russia now considers any conventional military threat to its sovereignty or to its ally Belarus as potentially warranting a nuclear response. Moscow has warned that any direct or indirect aggression from countries aligned with Ukraine would be seen as an attack from the entire coalition, expanding the list of nations potentially facing a nuclear threat. The state-run news agency Tass highlighted that the update broadens the criteria for what could trigger a nuclear response, underscoring the seriousness of the changes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to revise the nuclear doctrine has drawn criticism from Ukraine, which accuses Moscow of "nuclear sabre-rattling" to deter Western support. In contrast, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized Russia’s desire to prevent nuclear war, pointing to a declaration signed by the group advocating for a world without nuclear weapons. Nonetheless, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the revised doctrine is "a very important text" that merits deep analysis by other nations, urging global scrutiny.

Adding to the growing tension, the Kremlin issued a warning on Monday in response to President Biden’s decision to authorize Ukrainian use of long-range ATACMS missiles, labeling any such strike on Russian territory as direct U.S. involvement in the conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry promised "an appropriate and tangible" response to any attacks using Western-supplied weapons.

The launch of the ICBM—albeit with a conventional payload—highlights the gravity of the evolving war, as the updated doctrine provides Moscow with a broader scope for considering nuclear options. With the conflict intensifying, and outside powers deepening their involvement, the global community is increasingly concerned about the potential for the situation to spiral into a larger, more dangerous confrontation.