A Russian military blogger known as "Rybar" has reported that Israel conducted a test of a ballistic missile with a range exceeding 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles). According to the blogger, whose reports primarily focus on the war in Ukraine, Israel launched the missile from the Palmachim base towards the Mediterranean Sea, striking a maritime area south of Italy's coast.
The blogger claimed that the missile's range is sufficient to cover most of Iran's territory. "Judging by the lack of media coverage and the distance of observation aircraft, it seems the Israelis were trying something serious," Rybar stated on his Telegram channel.
Rybar has previously been used by the Kremlin to disseminate information aligning with its positions. It is likely that Moscow is the source of the information the blogger is relaying, while ostensibly relying on open-source intelligence.
The test allegedly demonstrated Israel's capacity to strike targets at a distance that could potentially reach Iran. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with both countries viewing each other as significant security threats. Israel has never officially confirmed possession of long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching Iran. The country maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding its military capabilities, particularly concerning its alleged nuclear arsenal.
The reported missile test, if confirmed, could be seen as a signal of Israel's deterrence capabilities against potential threats in the region. However, as of now, there has been no official comment from Israeli authorities regarding this alleged missile test. The lack of wider media coverage and the specific nature of the source raises questions about the veracity of the claim.
