VLAD’S VENGEANCE
Putin fires ICBM for FIRST time in war amid crippling revenge blitz across Ukraine after Storm Shadow & ATACMS strikes
Watch footage of the revenge attack in our video player
RUSSIA has launched a revenge blitz on Ukraine following its long-range missile attacks - reportedly firing an intercontinental ballistic rocket for the first time.
It comes after Kyiv launched US ATACMS missiles against Putin's territory overnight on Monday - and British Storm Shadow rockets on Wednesday in a double-tap victory.
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Russia warned it would "react accordingly" as embassies in capital city Kyiv closed down on Wednesday for fear of a retaliatory strike.
Putin's forces are believed to have launched an RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Ukraine this morning.
The Kremlin also dispatched Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles against embattled Ukraine.
Kyiv's air force confirmed an ICBM had been launched from Astrakhan, in southern Russia, on Thursday morning - marking the first time one has ever been used in war.
"In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation," they said.
Nato scrambled F-16 warplanes above Poland amid the barrage - putting air defence and radar systems on high alert.
Chilling footage showed missiles raining down over Dnipro in the early morning attack.
It allegedly showed six different warheads raining down on the city from the Russian ICBM.
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Unverified footage appeared to show an explosion and a fire in multiple spots across the country.
The city of Dnipro was also hit with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, while Kremenchuk and Myrhorod were also bombarded.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Dnipro was hit today by a “new Russian rocket”.
Marking his county’s Day of Dignity and Freedom, he said referring to the suspected intercontinental ballistic missile unleashed by Vladimir Putin’s forces: “Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and people's lives in general."
A Russian military blog claimed the deadly weapon struck a Patriot air defence system in Aviatorske in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast of Ukraine.
Moscow warned for months that the use of Western long-range missiles by Ukraine would mark a major escalation.
In September, a snarling Putin said it would "mean that Nato countries are at war with Russia".
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Local media reported that Russia was threatening to strike Kyiv with a "massive" new missile in revenge for this week's strikes.
Putin's men were apparently gearing up to shoot RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile Russia slammed the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo, a village in Poland.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said it had been added to a "list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons".
There are unconfirmed media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine which we know they have been preparing for months.
John Healey
Defence Secretary John Healey told the Defence Committee on Thursday: "This is a serious moment that I come before the committee.
"Defence intelligence will reveal today that the front line is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full scale Russian invasion in 2022.
"We have seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and his forces.
"They have stepped up attacks on the energy system in Ukraine ahead of winter, they have stepped up attacks on civilian centres killing children, they have deployed at least 10,000 North Korean troops to the battle front line.
"And there are unconfirmed media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine which we know they have been preparing for months.
"While the Ukrainian actions on the battlefield speak for themselves, be in no doubt that UK Government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine."
Could Putin unleash chemical weapons next?
The rattled dictator could unleash deadly chemical weapons within weeks as his invasion of Ukraine ramps up, an ex-NATO commander has warned.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon insisted the Kremlin could make a hugely dangerous move out of desperation.
He told The Sun's Never Mind The Ballots: "Putin is absolutely rattled.
"He could have lost up to 700,000 soldiers already.”
The ex-NATO commander explained the importance of Kursk, which was invaded by Ukrainian troops in August.
He added: "Now, with Ukraine hitting back using US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, he knows his forced in Kursk are sitting ducks."
The expert revealed this could force Putin to unleash a devastating chemical attack.
Bretton-Gordon said the Russians have already used chemical weapons on an industrial scale in the East.
He added that a slight change could have devastating affects on the war.
The ex-NATO commander added: "If Putin substituted that chloropicrin with the Novichok that he used in Salisbury, then, thousands of people could be killed.”
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On Tuesday a rattled Putin green-lit a new nuclear doctrine just hours after Ukraine's ATACMS strike, in retaliation for the US relaxing its missile permissions.
President Joe Biden had on Sunday approved a decision that allowed Ukraine to fire the American rockets inside Russia.
The Kremlin said it marked the crossing of a red line - officially putting nuclear retaliation on the table.
Putin's propagandist puppets blasted threats against the US and UK on TV - with top Kremlin lap-dog Dmitry Peskov swearing that the use of Western non-nuclear missiles by Ukraine's armies could spark a nuclear response.
Ukraine used the ATACMS rockets to hit a military depot in Bryansk - marking a major development on day 1,000 of the brutal war.
Watch explosive moment 'British Storm Shadow missiles strike inside Russia'
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Footage last night revealed the moment Ukraine reportedly fired Storm Shadow rockets inside Russia for the first time.
The unverified video showed a resident in Kursk pointing at the sky before loud booms are heard in the background.
Meanwhile other aerial footage purporting to show the strike captured rockets exploding a site in Kursk with an underground control room, Ukrainian defence experts said.
Giant plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the site, before an orange fireball engulfed the building.
Reports suggest the attack targeted a location where North Korean generals could have been present alongside senior Russian military leaders.
Russia's defence ministry was forced to admit on Thursday that at least two of the Storm Shadow rockets had been fired by Ukraine.
Fragments of the bunker-busting rockets were found in the village of Marine, Kursk, on Wednesday, it is understood.
Up to 12 missiles were launched by a Ukrainian aircraft, according to reports.
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Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are a nightmare for enemies as they are capable of dodging air defences.
The £800,000 weapons - which were already being fired within Ukraine - use GPS to precisely hit targets, and can travel at 600mph.
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