US official confirms Russia informed US about ballistic missile attack on Ukraine

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A US administration official told Semafor that Russia warned the US about a ballistic missile attack on Ukraine shortly before Thursday’s attack.

“The US was given short notice before the launch,” the official said.

The United States also briefed Ukraine and other allies in the days leading up to the attack about the possibility of Russia using an experimental medium-range ballistic missile “to help them prepare,” the official said.

Russia and the United States usually inform each other if they plan to launch ballistic missiles, but it is unclear whether Moscow did so this time.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said:no notificationBecause Russia has no such obligations regarding medium-range missiles,” Russian news agency TASS reported.

On Thursday, Russia struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro; While Ukrainian officials initially accused Russia of using an intercontinental ballistic missile, Western officials disputed this, saying it was a medium-range missile.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was a new medium-range ballistic missile called “Oreshnik” and added that the attack was a response to Kiev’s use of US and UK weapons to strike Russian territory.

“We are carefully analyzing the missile and its implications for Russia’s arms control obligations and NATO’s deterrence and compliance posture,” the US official said, adding that Russia likely had only “a handful” of such missiles.

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The United States and Russia generally notify each other when either side plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles or intermediate-range ballistic missiles; This communication aims to prevent any opportunity for misunderstanding that could lead to an accidental conflict or escalation of tension between the two superpowers.

Although Russia has withdrawn or suspended most of its existing arms control agreements with the United States, Russian officials indicated last year that these agreements would be made. Continue reporting to Washington from ballistic missile launches.

However, nuclear experts were unsure whether Russia chose to inform Washington about last night’s attack targeting Dnipro in Ukraine. “I doubt the parties have an understanding on this issue.” whether launch notifications would be valid in a war between one of them and a third partyJames Acton, co-director of the Carnegie Endowment’s Nuclear Policy Program, wrote about X.