Ukraine can intercept new Russian Kedr missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads

NV reported the information, citing a source in Ukraine's security and defense sector.

The Kedr missile is not intercontinental, but its ballistic capability could make it a carrier for nuclear weapons.

According to sources, it may currently be difficult for Ukraine to intercept such missiles. When the missile gains altitude, its main blocks separate into 6 warheads. Therefore, the most likely method of targeting them at the moment may be to intercept the individual blocks, rather than the entire missile.

A source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces informed that Ukraine is currently discussing with the United States the possibility of receiving weapons capable of intercepting intercontinental missiles. This could involve the modernization of the Patriot air defense system or the acquisition of the American Aegis or THAAD missile defense systems.

It is assumed that Russia used the Kedr missile against Ukraine to intimidate the population and Europeans with the possibility of a direct nuclear strike. The missile strike could have been aimed at pressuring the U.S. into negotiations to end the war, according to the source.

Despite the Kedr missile not carrying nuclear weapons during the strike on the city of Dnipro, the source does not rule out the possibility of further intimidation through Russia’s use of tactical nuclear weapons, as Putin is considered a war criminal. However, the source emphasized that the use of such weapons would be the Kremlin leader's greatest mistake, ultimately leading to his defeat.

Russia launches intercontinental ballistic missile. What is known

• 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 said that the Russian military used a new missile, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile, against Ukraine on November 21.
• 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.
• Serhiy Zgurets’, Director of Defense Express, noted that the RS-26 missile is not in serial production and has not been adopted by the Russian military.
• On the evening of November 21, the Foreign Ministry responded to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's statement about using the Oreshnik ballistic missile to strike Ukraine.
• The missile from Russia's new ballistic missile system, Kedr, which was fired at Dnipro on November 21, contains six warheads, each armed with six submunitions.