Russia’s Use of INF-Banned Missiles in Ukraine Sparks Global Alarm

                                           File photo: The two leaders met in Alaska earlier this year

Russia has reportedly deployed the 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile—a weapon once banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty—against Ukraine, marking its first confirmed use in combat. The missile, capable of carrying either nuclear or conventional warheads, has an estimated range of up to 2,500 kilometers, far exceeding the 500 km limit once imposed by the treaty.

Background

The INF Treaty, signed in 1987 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, prohibited ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. However, U.S. officials accused Russia of secretly developing the 9M729 in violation of the pact. This dispute ultimately led President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the treaty in 2019.

Deployment in Ukraine

According to Ukrainian officials, Russia has fired the 9M729 missile at Ukraine multiple times since 2022, with one missile reportedly traveling 1,200 kilometers before striking a target in western Ukraine. The weapon’s range means it could potentially reach much of Europe, raising fears of a renewed arms race and escalating security concerns across NATO states.

International Reaction

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the deployment, calling it a “blatant violation of international agreements” and a demonstration of Moscow’s disregard for global security norms. Analysts warn that the use of INF-banned missiles could further destabilize Europe and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Implications

• Strategic Escalation: The missile’s range and dual capability (nuclear or conventional) heighten risks of miscalculation.
• Arms Control Breakdown: The deployment underscores the collapse of Cold War-era arms control frameworks.
• Security Concerns for NATO: With ranges exceeding 1,500 miles, these missiles could threaten multiple NATO members, including the UK and Germany.

In short, Russia’s use of the 9M729 missile in Ukraine not only intensifies the conflict but also signals a dangerous erosion of international arms control agreements that once helped stabilize global security.