Recent Dnipro Attack: Evidence Suggests Use of Russian Missile

Recently, images of missile fragments have been sourced from Ukrainian security forces, which are believed to be from the missile used by Russian forces in the recent attack on Dnipro. The city of Dnipro faced an attack that Ukraine claims was carried out using a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This would be the first time such a weapon has been used by Moscow in over 1,000 days of conflict.

The fragments do not necessarily come from a single missile, according to the source. The type of missile used in the attack is a matter of debate. While some suggest it was an ICBM, others, including a Western official, have questioned this claim. CNN has reached out to weapons experts for an independent analysis of the missile type using the available photos.

Investigation of Missile Fragments

One report suggests that the missile wreckage includes a component of the Bulava missile, a missile that was mass-produced in the late 2000s. This raises questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims of using advanced technologies in the recent attacks.

Journalist Mark Krutov identified serial numbers on one of the fragments which led him to a 2013 government procurement contract related to the production of parts for the ZK-30 system, another name for the R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile.

Questioning the Advanced Technologies

The Bulava missile is not a new weapon in Russia’s arsenal. Its development began in the ’90s, and it was officially launched in 2012. The presence of Bulava components in the recent missile raises serious doubts about the cutting-edge technologies that Russia claimed to have used.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used an ICBM in the attack on Dnipro. According to sources, it could have been a Rubezh missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. However, Western sources claim that Russia actually launched an “experimental medium-range ballistic missile”.

Putin confirmed the U.S. intelligence assessment in his recent speech, stating that Russia had used the medium-range Orechnik missile. The United States officially confirmed that Russia struck Dnipro with a ballistic missile developed based on the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM.