Russia's new missile sparks fear, seen as desperate move
Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile toward Ukraine for the first time, with the missile landing near the city of Dnipro. Experienced Polish General Mieczysław Bieniek describes it as "an act of desperation on Russia's part." He also explains why the missile was not intercepted.
9:07 AM EST, November 22, 2024
The intercontinental ballistic missile was launched during Thursday's shelling of Ukraine on November 22. Vladimir Putin announced that it is the Oresznik hypersonic medium-range missile — a new addition to the Russian arsenal.
Former Ukrainian Nuclear Safety Minister Yuriy Kostenko explained that this missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and 3,300 pounds of explosives. The missile's range is 3,700 miles.
The attack is seen as a likely response to Ukraine's use of Western ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles. Despite this, Gen. Mieczysław Bieniek believes the attack highlights the Kremlin's desperation.
It was an act of desperation on Russia's part - says Gen. Bieniek in a conversation with "Fakt".
Enormous capabilities of the launched missile. Why wasn't it shot down?
The difficulty may lie in detecting and intercepting this type of missile. Gen. Bieniek points out that these missiles are launched into the stratosphere and move at high speeds.
It can carry up to 3,300 pounds of explosives, weighing three times as much as Iskanders. Evidently, the anti-aircraft systems Ukraine possesses were not able to detect and destroy it. The preparation and launch of a ballistic missile are monitored by reconnaissance satellites in space, but you also need an appropriate effector, something to counter the missile. And Ukraine apparently does not have this. Or if it does, it was ineffective in taking down the missile - explains Gen. Bieniek in a conversation with "Fakt".
The military official noted that NATO possesses the technological capabilities to detect and intercept ballistic missiles.
