Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv shuts parliament after Putin launches new ballistic missile attack
Ukrainian lawmakers have been asked to keep their families out of Kyiv’s government district
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Your support makes all the difference.Ukraine shut down its parliament today over security concerns, a day after Vladimir Putin launched a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile to attack a Ukrainian military facility.
“On 22 November, plans called for a session of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), which included questions to the government, but this was cancelled for reasons of potential security issues,” public broadcaster Suspilne reported.
Ukrainian lawmakers have been asked to keep their families out of Kyiv’s government district and the next sitting is not scheduled until December.
This comes within a day of Mr Putin firing his experimental ballistic missile on Ukraine’s Dnipro as the visuals showed a multiple reentry attack on the site.
Ukrainian air defence forces said the missile – which has a range of more than 3,400 miles and can be used to carry nuclear warheads – was fired from Russia’s Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea.
Nato has doubled down on its backing for the war-hit country and said that “deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter Nato allies from supporting Ukraine”.
Putin says Russia fired experimental ballistic missile at Ukraine
Jeremy Kyle cuts off caller who ‘defends’ Putin in heated live interview clash
Russia spokesperson takes phone call during presser telling her not to comment on missile strike
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile? Ukraine hits Russia with British weapon for first time
Moscow becoming reckless says Number 10
Russia’s alleged use of a long-range ballistic missile for the first time in its war with Ukraine is “another example of reckless behaviour” by Moscow, Downing Street has said.
Asked if he could confirm reports an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) had been used by Russia in Ukraine, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.
“This is obviously deeply concerning. It is another example of reckless behaviour from Russia, which only serves to strengthen our resolve in terms of standing by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Initial unconfirmed reports from Ukraine had suggested the weapon was an ICBM, but No 10 was cautious not to use this term for a specific type of weapon.
Watch: Putin says Russia tested new intermediate range missile in strike on Ukraine
US was notified by Russia before Thursday missile strike on Ukraine, official briefs
The United States was pre-notified by Russia shortly before its strike with an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro through nuclear risk reduction channels, a US official has told Reuters.
“The US was pre-notified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels,” the official said.
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile?
Storm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km). The French call it Scalp.
After launch, the weapon, equipped with its navigation system, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.
On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of more than 600mph, is just over five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres.
My colleagues Arpan Rai and Rachel Hagan have more details in this report:
What is the Storm Shadow missile? Ukraine hits Russia with British weapon
The missile carries a range of around 155 miles and is designed to evade detection despite flying low after being launched
US is aware of Russia's launch of intermediate-range ballistic missile, White House says
The United States is aware of Russia's launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, and had briefed Ukraine and allies in recent days to help them prepare, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has told reporters.
Analysis | From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to boots on the ground: How Europe is preparing for a Third World War
More than 900 miles from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Anti-tank ditches, tank traps, and pillboxes are being built and installed. In all these countries, laying minefields – even controversial anti-personnel minefields – is under active consideration.
Poland is spending at least €2.5bn (£2.1bn) on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israel’s “Iron Dome” to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. Poland’s defence project includes physical anti-tank obstacles, bunkers, and AI-powered anti-drone technologies to create early threat detection and surveillance systems.
Meanwhile, in response to the “hybrid war” tactics on several Baltic fronts, hundreds of millions of euros are being invested by the Baltic states to strengthen their defence lines with another major project, planned by Nato members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, set to begin in 2025.
And what is the UK’s response to an increasing global threat? The country is scrapping £500m worth of military equipment – ships, drones, and helicopters – and will conduct a strategic defence review to decide what to do next.
Francis Tusa has more analysis here:
From Poland’s ‘iron dome’ to troops: How Europe is preparing for World War III
As Britain announces a review on defence spending, much of Europe is busy preparing for an act of war that would demand a Nato response. Here, defence expert Francis Tusa explains what is being planned for and how Britain is lagging dangerously behind
How can Ukraine defend itself from ICBMs?
Ukraine uses a Patriot missile defense system supplied by the US and Germany to intercept incoming ballistic missile warheads, according to the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The Patriot system blows incoming warheads out of the sky, either with an exploding warhead of its own, or with kinetic interceptors ussng so-called “hit-to-kill” technology.
Patriot interceptors have a vertical range of about 12 areas and defend an area of about 10 miles around the battery.
They are limited in number so cities, like the capital Kyiv, enjoy greater protection than others.
Ukraine in most perilous state yet as UK minister says Russia’s been planning new ballistic missile for months
The defence secretary has admitted that the UK and her allies have known “for months” that Russia has been planning to use a new intercontinental ballistic missile as he warned about the fragile state of Ukraine’s frontline.
John Healey gave his warning to the Commons defence select committee where he was making his first apearance since Labour took power in July.
He was speaking at the same time as Sir Keir Starmer pushed back on claims the much-delayed decision to allow Ukraine to strike at Russian forces with storm shadow missiles was a reaction to Donald Trump‘s election as US president.
Minister says Russia’s been planning new ballistic missile for months
Came as Sir Keir Starmer was challenged over whether use of British storm shadows by Ukraine was a reaction to Donald Trump being elected US President
No 10 condemns Putin’s ‘reckless behaviour’ after mid-range ballistic missile strike on Ukraine
Downing Street has condemned Russia’s “reckless” behaviour after Vladimir Putin fired a hypersonic mid-range ballistic missile into Ukraine for the first time, and threatened to do the same to Western nations allowing Kyiv to fire long-range missiles into Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.”
No 10 said it was “an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia”.
But the Prime Minister’s spokesman added it “only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russia’s reckless and illegal invasion”.
Issuing his threat to the West, Mr Putin declared that Russia would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety.
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