Russia’s recent missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, apparently in retaliation for attacks on Russian soil, has raised concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation. The missile used, a hypersonic weapon, is reportedly the first of its kind to be used in combat. While both Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic missiles can reach speeds in excess of Mach 5, hypersonic missiles are more evasive and can change course at lower altitudes mid-flight, making them harder to track.
The U.S., Russia, China, and North Korea are among the countries that have reportedly developed hypersonic missiles, with Russia being the only one to have launched one in combat.
