The remains of a car that exploded in Sevastopol, killing a Russian naval officer, have sparked tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into Ukraine for the first time, using the country as a testing ground. However, a US official has contradicted these claims, stating that it was an intermediate-range ballistic missile, not an ICBM.
In response to the escalating conflict, the US has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s Gazprombank, banning their trade with Americans and freezing their US assets. The US is also sending anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, expanding the use of a weapon that the international community has condemned due to its danger to civilians.
The Russian ambassador to the UK has accused Britain of being directly involved in the war, citing the presence of mercenaries in Ukraine from various countries. Russia’s use of Iranian drones and North Korean troops has also raised concerns about the involvement of other nations in the conflict.
Amidst the geopolitical tensions, President Zelensky has condemned Russia in an open letter, celebrating Ukraine’s Day of Dignity and Freedom. He accuses Russia of using new missiles in the conflict and disregarding human life and dignity. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with France unable to confirm the reports of a Russian ICBM attack on Ukraine and speculation that the RS-26 Rubezh missile was used in the attack. As the conflict escalates, the world is watching to see how the situation will unfold.
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