US: New missiles fired by Russia at Ukraine could be equipped with nuclear warheads

The U.S. government announced on the 21st (local time) that the new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launched by Russia at Ukraine could potentially be modified to carry nuclear warheads.

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of Defense, stated at a briefing that "it can be confirmed that Russia launched the IRBM as a test," and explained, "This IRBM is based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) model." Deputy Spokesperson Singh described it as "a new form of lethal force deployed in combat," adding, "It is certainly a concern for us."

She assessed the missile by saying, "It can definitely be modified to carry either conventional warheads or nuclear warheads," ultimately judging it as a missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. She also mentioned that Russia gave prior notice of the launch plan through the 'nuclear risk reduction channel' between the two countries just before the launch.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the same day that, in response to Western hostile actions, a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile was used in the attack on Ukraine. He confirmed that it was not an ICBM but the ‘Oreshnik (Hazelnut).’ He emphasized that the Oreshnik reaches its target at Mach 10, rendering Western missile defenses useless.

Meanwhile, Deputy Spokesperson Singh responded to a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that a senior North Korean military officer was wounded in a Ukrainian airstrike in the Kursk region of Russia by saying, "We cannot confirm the report," but added that North Korean forces located in combat zones with Ukraine are "absolutely legitimate targets (of the Ukrainian forces)."

According to reports, this is the first time a senior North Korean officer has been casualties since North Korea deployed more than 10,000 soldiers and officers to Russia last month. Ukraine launched more than 10 Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the United Kingdom targeting Kursk the day before. The senior North Korean officer is presumed to have been injured in that attack.