The videos of the Russian missile(s) arriving this morning in were obviously difficult to interpret due to the video quality, but we noticed very high speed and what some people were calling 'plasma' effects, due to the fact that each missile seemed to 'glow' along it's entire length as it passed through the air before impact. Common or garden missiles do now 'glow' in this way, compare the Iranian missile attack last month on Israel for comparison.



This evening Putin said that the missiles used were 'new' and they were fired as part of a real-world 'test'. The video evidence suggests that the missiles carried relatively small (if any) warheads (relatively small explosive impact on the ground). This would be consistent with Putin's statement that they were a 'test'. Indeed, given their alleged speed of 12,500km/h, the kinetic force alone could do significant damage to a precise target.

According to the Pentagon spokesperson today, while the US is concerned about Russia's use of "a new type of weapon", specifically, "an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile", Ukraine has withstood attacks by Russia with significantly larger warheads" [presumably referring to FAB 1500 and 3000 glide bombs that Russia has been using extensively in recent months].

So, officially, there's nothing here for the Pentagon to really worry about. That is, of course, 'officially'. Behind closed doors, the idea that Russia has successfully used a "new" and "experimental" missile against Ukraine is probably causing slightly more concern. Because it seems clear, at this point, that today's events were more about a showcasing of what the Russian military can do, both to to Ukraine and to its erstwhile 'allies' if they cross a certain 'red line'. Where, precisely, that line is perhaps even the Russians cannot say right now. But we'll all definitely know it when it's crossed.

Uneasy times for sure...
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