Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was reportedly instructed during a press briefing not to comment on allegations regarding the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Ukraine. The incident was reported by the BBC on November 21.
While delivering her routine press briefing, Zakharova received a phone call that was audible due to live microphones. The unknown caller allegedly instructed her not to address reports about an ICBM being used against Ukraine.
Kyiv claims that an ICBM, without a nuclear warhead, was launched at the city of Dnipro on November 21. Thus far, no russian officials, including Zakharova, have commented on these claims.
During the live-streamed briefing broadcast on social media and russian state media, Zakharova answered the phone mid-session, with the conversation clearly heard by the audience. Without addressing or explaining the interruption, she resumed the briefing as though nothing had happened.
This moment was widely shared on social media platforms, including the russian social network VKontakte, by russian state media. However, the recording uploaded to the russian MFA’s official YouTube channel omitted the call. Some observers speculate that the incident may not have been accidental but rather staged.