Kremlin's direct order: Silence over missile in Ukraine briefing
During the Thursday briefing, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, played out an unusual scene. She answered a phone call. Her conversation partner was clearly audible to everyone present, and there were mentions of an intercontinental missile attack on Ukraine.
21 November 2024 10:01
It was a call directly from the Kremlin. A firm male voice on the phone gave an order to the spokesperson. Those gathered had no doubt this was a proposal not open for discussion.
The caller addressed Maria Zakharova by her first name. "Masha [Maria], ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash [defence plant in Dnipro]. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don’t comment at all", instructed the voice, which everyone present at the briefing heard over the speaker.
Zakharova is to avoid commenting on the attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at the Yuzhmash (Southern Machine-Building Plant). There, as speculated by world media since Thursday morning, an intercontinental ballistic missile was possibly used.
Call from the Kremlin. The spokesperson received orders during the conference
Russians allegedly attacked a location approximately 100 kilometres from the front line with an intercontinental missile Rubezh. This is suggested by Russian services and was claimed by Ukrainian defence.
On November 21, the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a combined missile attack carried out by Russia on Ukrainian territory. Among the missiles used, for the first time in this war, was said to be a strategic range ballistic missile.
According to the statement from the Ukrainian Air Force, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an aero-ballistic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal from a MiG-31K fighter in the Tambov region, and seven Ch-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
Western media have a different opinion. ABC News, citing information from a Western official, also refutes reports that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile.
It is not clear, therefore, what type of missile was used. However, it is apparent that the attack carries political implications. As noted by the portal ZBiAM (Research and Military Analysis Team), a day before, the United States and several other countries closed their diplomatic missions in Kyiv in the face of the risk of a massive missile attack. This may indicate that they were aware of the preparations for this Thursday action.
Polish military blogger Filip Dąb-Mirowski comments that the scene at Zakharova's briefing confirms that the Russians are keen on maintaining the impression that they are prepared for anything. They suggest they would not hesitate even to use a nuclear warhead.
