Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro this morning, Ukraine has claimed, in what would be a major escalation in the war.

ICBMs are mostly associated with nuclear weapons, and the missiles have the ability to carry nuclear warheads great distances to targets – although there was no immediate indication that this was the case in this instance.

Ukraine‘s Air Force, a statement carried on the Telegram app said: “On the morning of November 21, 2024, between 05:00 and 07:00, Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (enterprises and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types.

“In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, a Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch area – Volgograd region) from the Tambov region.”

The Air Force claimed that six Kh-101 missiles were destroyed and said that casualties caused by the strikes were so far unknown. The news comes just one day after Kyiv launched British-made Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia.

Separately, Estonian blogger WarTranslated, posting on X, suggested Russia planned to test a new missile today.

Their post said: “The Russians are probably preparing to launch their RS-26 “Rubizh” ballistic missile, testing it in combat conditions.”

Technical data cited by various outlets from open sources suggested the missile has a range of 4,000 miles, and a weight of 1.2 tons.

The post added: “The missile has an explosive, non-nuclear warhead.

“It is claimed that the launch can take place from a test site in Astrakhan region.”

He also shared a satellite image of what he said was a Bulava missile being prepared for launch “at an undisclosed location” in Russia.

Former Ukrainian government interior minister advisor Anton Geraschenko, posting on X, said: “Russia has attacked Ukraine with an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time, Ukrainian Air Force reported.

“The attack was launched from the Astrakhan region of Russia. The Air Force did not specify which missile was used. However, prior reports on social media warned of a possible attack using the RS-26 “Rubezh” missile.”

Mr Geraschenko also shared a video of an unidentified Russian missile being destroyed over Dnipro.

The Pentagon will send Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons, including an undisclosed number of antipersonnel land mines, as the Biden administration rushes to do as much as it can to help Kyiv fight back against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict, with both sides pushing to gain any advantage they can exploit if Trump demands a quick end to the war – as he has vowed to do.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “We will continue to provide Ukraine the support it needs to succeed on the battlefield and prevail in its defence against Russia’s aggression.”

In rapid succession this week, President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the authority to fire longer-range missiles deeper into Russia and said it would provide the antipersonnel land mines. At the same time, the UK agreed that Storm Shadow missiles could be used inside Russian territory.

The attack comes two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the country’s use of nuclear weapons. Ukraine on Tuesday fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired U.K.-made Storm Shadows on Wednesday into Russia.

Putin has previously warned the US and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war.

The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia to a conventional strike, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Putin’s options open.

John Healey will face questions from MPs today after reports of Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain being used by Ukraine within Russia.

Mr Healey will appear before the Commons Defence Committee at 10.30am – while the House of Lords was expected to hold a debate on Ukraine led by Lord Peter Ricketts, chairman of the European Affairs Committee, later in the day.