Ukraine ICBM Strike, Haiti Gang Battle

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — NOV 21 2024

Today’s email brings you news from Ukraine and Haiti.

1 - UKRAINE

1 thing to know

Russia launched a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Ukraine claims the missile was an ICBM.

The context 

Today, Ukraine reported that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dnipro. However, U.S. officials dispute this classification, stating it was an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile." 

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed the missile was fired from the Astrakhan region and targeted critical infrastructure. Damage is slight, with two people wounded and an industrial facility damaged.

If confirmed as an ICBM, this would be the first time such a weapon has been used in warfare. ICBMs are typically designed for nuclear strikes, with ranges exceeding 5,500 kilometers. 

This type of missile is different than a typical missile because it is launched into space, then splits into multiple smaller warheads, enabling it to hit multiple targets with one shot. This kind of missile typically carries nuclear warheads (though this one did not.)

More from the region

The Dnipro missile strike comes after Ukraine's recent use of U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. 

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: THE GBU-28

The GBU-28 is a 5,000 pound laser-guided bomb designed during Operation Desert Storm for "bunker busting." When the need arose for a bomb that could penetrate hardened Iraqi bunkers, the bomb was designed and deployed within three weeks.

The initial GBU-28s were built from 8 inch howitzer barrels, packed with 630 pounds of explosives. During testing, the bomb was proved to be capable of penetrating 100 feet of earth, or 20 feet of solid concrete when dropped.

What it’s used for

Only two GBU-28s were dropped during Operation Desert Storm, but it was later used in further operations against Iraq, as well as in Afghanistan.

The bombs have also been sold to Israel and South Korea.

2 - HAITI

1 thing to know

28 gang members were killed during an attack in the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince.

The context 

Petionville in Port-Au-Prince was attacked by gang members after the gang leader, former police officer Jimmy Chérizier announced the plan in video on social media. It's unclear so far if the police in the region were prepared for the attack, or if they responded during the attack.

The attack began before dawn, with two trucks carrying gang members entering Petionville and blocking the entrance to the community. Residents then fought alongside the police and at least 28 gang members were killed, according to a report from a police spokesman.

More from the region

Eighty-five percent of Port-Au-Prince is now under gang control, and the surrounding areas are also now under attack as the gangs seek to spread their control.

The Kenyan police officers that arrived in June as part of a multinational police force have not quelled any of the violence, and the US government is now pushing for a UN peacekeeping force to replace it.

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