Russia tests its remaining stock of RS-26 ICBM in strike on Dnipro — military expert Zgurets

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"We’ve seen reports from foreign media indicating that this was not the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile but rather a medium-range missile. Paradoxically, both sides (Ukrainian and foreign) are correct. However, this slightly shifts the focus away from what truly happened," emphasized Zgurets.

The military expert explained that a missile with a range exceeding 5,500 km is classified as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The RS-26 missile underwent several tests, including one in 2012 with a range of 5,800 km, effectively categorizing it as an ICBM.

"But why did Russia aim to declare the range of 5,800 km so that this missile would be classified as an intercontinental ballistic missile? Because it was originally designed as a medium- and short-range missile, with a range between 500 and 5,500 km. And this was a disguised way of developing missiles that were banned until 2019, as the treaty between the U.S. and Russia on medium- and short-range missiles prohibited both sides from possessing missiles in the range of 500 km to 5,500 km," Zgurets noted.

The military expert added that the RS-26 was developed as an intercontinental missile in terms of launch range, which was demonstrated during a single test launch. However, de facto, it turned out to be a medium-range missile, indicating a significantly shorter actual range.

"It is important to understand that this is not a serially produced missile; it has not been put into service, and, in my opinion - confirmed today by Pentagon spokespersons - it was an experimental test of remaining RS-26 missiles that Russia still has," Zgurets concluded.

• On Thursday, November 21, the Russian army launched an attack on Ukraine using MiG-31K and Tu-95 aircraft, targeting the Dnipropetrovsk region.
• On November 21, Russian forces launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, along with Kinzhal and Kh-101 missiles, at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense destroyed six targets.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that on November 21, Russian forces used a new missile against Ukraine, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is pursuing diplomatic measures and leveraging UN and NATO mechanisms in response to Russia's use of a new missile resembling an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Valentyn Badrak, Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, military expert, believes that Putin's actions are aimed at political bargaining to make him a winner in the eyes of the Russian audience.