Pentagon confirms Russia used an intercontinental ballistic missile

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated at a daily press briefing, "I can confirm that Russia launched an experimental ballistic missile," noting that it was an RS-26 Rubezh type intercontinental ballistic missile, referred to as an IRBM.

Noting that the U.S. was informed via "Nuclear Risk Reduction" channels shortly before the missiles were launched, Singh said they used the term "experimental" because it was the first time such missiles had been used on the battlefield.

Singh said, "This is a new type of lethal capability used on the battlefield. This is certainly a cause for concern for us, and we do not have an assessment of its effects at this time, but it is certainly something we are concerned about."

Stating that there is currently no change in the U.S. posture as they have not observed any changes in Russia's nuclear position, Singh argued that Russia has escalated the war in Ukraine by bringing in North Korean soldiers.

When asked about the use of U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) by Ukraine against the Bryansk region of Russian territory, Singh limited her response to, "I still have nothing to explain or confirm on that matter."

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on November 19 that Ukraine had carried out an attack on the Bryansk region with American-made long-range tactical ATACMS missiles, and the Ukrainian Air Force had announced that the Russian military used an intercontinental ballistic missile in today's air strike.

"U.S.-PROVIDED MINES WILL ONLY BE USED WITHIN UKRAINE"

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh also addressed the anti-personnel mines that the U.S. has authorized Ukraine to use against the Russian military's advance, explaining that the Ukrainian military had given the U.S. assurances that they would "only use these mines within Ukraine."

Stating that they have provided many types of mines to Ukraine, Singh said she would not go into detail on the matter, adding, "The reason we are providing these mines is that it is important to note that as the battlefield changes and the fight evolves over time, we also evolve."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced yesterday that Ukraine would be allowed to use U.S.-manufactured anti-personnel landmines to help slow Russia's progress on the battlefield.

Anti-personnel landmines, which are banned by treaties to which many countries around the world are party, have long been criticized by aid organizations and activists on the grounds that they pose a permanent threat to civilians. The U.S. and Russia are not parties to these agreements.

Non-persistent landmines generally require batteries. Therefore, they become inert over time. For this reason, it is argued that these anti-personnel landmines are safer for civilians compared to other mines that remain for many years.

It is stated that the U.S. had a stockpile of approximately 3 million anti-personnel landmines as of 2022.

News Source: AA