Seems like a bit of a waste to launch an intercontinental missile at a country next door, on the same continent. Isn't Russia supposed to have plenty of short and mid range ballistic missiles? I guess they must be running low.

I was under the impression that ICBMs weren't all that great for conventional warheads. Their payload capacity isn't enormous and their accuracy tends to be relatively low- which matters not a jot if you're firing nukes (which do a lot of bang per kilo, and where a few hundred metres either way isn't likely to be critical), but not so great for dropping normal munitions.

[–] Streetlights@lemmy.world 17 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

I suspect the use of an RS-26 was meant to serve as a provocation/response to the recent ATACMs strikes.

[–] Kyrgizion@lemmy.world 5 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (2 children)

I posted elsewhere about the rumour Russia was going to fire an RS26.

I got called a liar and warmonger.

Well, my next prediction remains the same: Russia WILL eventually use nukes. Because there will come a moment of "use it or lose it", and Russia prefers a destroyed world over an intact one without Russia.

[–] Barbarian@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 hour ago

Russia prefers a destroyed world over an intact one without Russia.

That much is true, but none of this is existential. If the Russian military packs up and heads home, Russia continues to exist. They don't want to do that ofc, but obviously Russia prefers an intact world with Russia compared to a destroyed world.

[–] Streetlights@lemmy.world 7 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

There's still a few steps left on the escalation ladder.

Conceivably I can see them detonating a nuke somewhere over the blacksea at a high enough altitude to minimise fallout as a demonstration that they are serious and have the capability.

[–] Kyrgizion@lemmy.world 5 points 2 hours ago

I think they would use a tactical one in Kursk since it's "their" territory.

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 hours ago

This missile is only "Intercontinental" if you launch it from the edge of a continent. It's got about 6000km of range, which is a lot, but these are obviously meant for use in Europe. They were probably thinking of London and Paris when designing them though.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 3 points 2 hours ago

IMHO they might be just making a threat this way. Kremlin folks think that's the way diplomacy works. See, we've launched a missile that can be used to send nukes. That's our very subtle and diplomatic warning. We both understand what that means, yes? Let's look very smart and diplomatic.

They may think that looks cool.

[–] logos@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

These missiles are designed with Western Europe in mind. Specifically, to deter them from coming to help Eastern Europe.