‘Ready For Any Developments’: Russia Launches Experimental Missile at Ukraine

Latest Developments

• Ukraine Comes Under Attack From Russian Experimental Missile: Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that a missile launched by Russia at Ukraine on November 21 was an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). The statement contradicted earlier reports that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

• Missile Was Similar to Russian ICBM: Singh noted that the missile resembled Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh model but that this was the first time that Russia had used the new missile on the battlefield. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was “ready for any developments” after the IRBM attack, which did not cause significant damage or casualties according to Ukrainian reports.

• Russia Warned the United States Before Attack: According to Singh, “the United States was pre-notified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels.” Singh called Putin’s rhetoric in the wake of the attack “dangerous” and “reckless.”

FDD Expert Response

“Putin hopes that by brandishing this new weapon, he can inject fear into the hearts of Ukraine’s Western partners. While Western governments should not ignore Russian threats, we must not let them deter us from supporting Ukraine.” — John Hardie, Russia Program Deputy Director

“Putin is nervous about ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles as he looks weak domestically and internationally. This attack is Putin’s latest saber-rattling aimed at the West to stoke fears among policymakers who allowed Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia. This, combined with his latest nuclear doctrine update, is designed to prey upon Western fears of nuclear escalation. Putin, with his intelligence background, knows the power of psychological games and nuclear blackmail. He has no incentives to use nukes, and instead of falling for his nuclear games, the United States and European nations should send more long-range missiles to Ukraine and put Putin on the defensive.” — Ivana Stradner, Research Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“U.S. Temporarily Shutters Embassy in Kyiv Fearing ‘Significant Air Attack’,” FDD Flash Brief

“Ukraine Needs More Missiles to Take Full Advantage of New Biden Policy,” by John Hardie

“The Missiles ‘Will Speak for Themselves’: Biden Approves Ukrainian Use of ATACMS Inside Russian Territory,” FDD Flash Brief