Russia’s Defense Ministry says it intercepted what it described as a “long-range operational-tactical missile” fired by Ukraine, a claim that, if accurate, would mark Kyiv’s first use of a ballistic missile in combat since the war began in 2022.
The assertion has not been independently verified. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the details of the alleged interception.
## What we know, and what we don’t
Here’s what Russia is saying: its air defenses intercepted a ballistic-class weapon launched by Ukraine. The specific missile type, its launch location, and any intended target remain unclear.
Ukraine has been steadily developing its own indigenous missile systems over the past year, with a particular focus on weapons capable of striking deeper into Russian territory.
