Watch: Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman told not to comment on missile strike during live briefing

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a call from “higher-ups” while speaking at a live press briefing on Thursday (Nov. 21), and was asked not to comment on reports of Russia firing a ballistic missile at Ukraine, according to a viral video.

Earlier on Thursday (Nov. 21), Ukraine claimedthat Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from its southern Astrakhan region.

During the live briefing, Zakharova was allegedly instructed by someone on the phone call not to comment at all.

An unknown male voice was heard in the video, who addressed Zakharova as "Masha" and advised her not to comment on that.

“On the 'Yuzhmash' ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about, we are not commenting at all," he said.

In a theatrical presentation likely designed to strike fear into the hearts of naive western politicians, in effort to tie Putin himself to last night's intercontinental missile strike on Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova allegedly receives a call… pic.twitter.com/hYUGSgWLZt — KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 21, 2024

WION could not verify the authenticity of the video and audio.

Russia has not commentedon this clip or addressed Ukraine's claimsyet.

When Russian state news agencies asked her about the conversation she had on the phone call, Zakharova said that while preparing for the briefing she had asked experts for some clarification on certain issues according to standard practice.

"The answer came during the briefing - the foreign ministry does not comment. So there is no intrigue," RIA state news agency reported, quoting Zakharova.

On Thursday, after Kyiv saidthat Russia launched the missile, theclaim was refuted by a Western official.

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“It was instead a ballistic missile, which was aimed at Dnipro, in Ukraine’s southeast," the Western official was quoted as saying by ABC News.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are missiles that can travel a long range of over 5,500 km (3,418 miles), which means they can strike targets virtually anywhere in the world. These missiles can carry conventional weapons as well as nuclear warheads.

Kyiv also said that this is the first time Moscow has fired an ICBM as the war has intensified, now marking its 1000th day on Wednesday.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)