WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Russia launched a rare experimental ballistic missile at Ukraine, amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington.

This incident marks the first instance of an intermediate-range ballistic missile being deployed in combat, as reported by Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh. Russian officials notified U.S. authorities just before the launch, aiming to prevent any misunderstanding that it could be a nuclear strike.

Singh referred to the missile as a “new type of lethal capability.”

According to an unnamed U.S. official, the missile was likely fired to frighten Ukraine and its allies; however, it is not considered a game-changer in the ongoing conflict.

Prior to the missile launch, the U.S. informed Ukraine and its close partners to help them prepare, as Russia is believed to have only a small stock of these missiles.

The missile is reportedly based on the RS-26, an intermediate-range ballistic missile under development by the Russian military. This missile can be equipped with a nuclear warhead, or in this instance, conventional explosives. It has a range of up to 3,600 miles, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Recently, the conflict in Ukraine has escalated further, with Russia deploying as many as 11,000 North Korean troops to its Kursk region to confront Ukrainian forces that seized territory there during the summer.

In addition, Russian forces are steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine after more than two years of fierce combat.

In response to this progression, the Biden administration announced this week that it will supply Ukraine with antipersonnel landmines. These weapons are banned in over 160 countries and can remain deadly long after being deployed. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured reporters that the mines provided by the Pentagon are designed to deactivate after a certain period.