The recent attack on the Dnipro was an alarming signal that may have nuclear implications. Even if the missile used was not an intercontinental ballistic missile, its characteristics and the message Russia is trying to convey raise serious concerns.
According to Fabian Hoffmann, a PhD student at the Oslo Nuclear Project, the main difference between intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and others is their range. However, not only this, but also the payload that the rocket is capable of delivering is critically important.
The missile that hit the Dnipro probably had a payload of the MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle) type, a technology that allows you to carry several warheads to hit different targets simultaneously. The MIRV was created back in the Cold War to increase the effectiveness of nuclear weapons, and no conventional Russian missile system has this capability.
"Regardless of whether the missile was intercontinental, Putin's message is a clear hint of a nuclear threat," Hoffmann emphasized in an interview for CNN.
This strike is aimed not only at damaging the infrastructure, but also at increasing pressure on Ukraine and its allies. Russia has demonstrated its willingness to use any means of intimidation, including direct hints about the possibility of using nuclear weapons.
The world community should pay attention to such signals. It is important not only to respond to the Kremlin's military aggression, but also to take measures to prevent further escalation, which could have catastrophic consequences.
