Russia has warned the West that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles is dangerously provocative, potentially leading to a global conflict beyond Europe.
On August 6, Ukraine attacked Russia’s western Kursk region, marking the most significant foreign assault on Russia since World War II. In response, President Vladimir Putin promised a strong retaliation, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who has held his position for over two decades, accused the West of escalating the Ukraine war and "asking for trouble" by considering loosening restrictions on Ukraine's use of foreign weapons.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin has frequently cautioned about the risks of a broader conflict involving nuclear powers, though he has stated that Russia does not seek a confrontation with NATO. Lavrov emphasized the gravity of the situation, likening the West’s actions to children playing with matches—a dangerous game for those with control over nuclear weapons. He also mentioned that Russia is revisiting its nuclear doctrine.
Russia's 2020 nuclear policy outlines conditions under which the president might consider deploying nuclear weapons, such as in response to a nuclear attack or conventional assault that threatens the nation's existence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently downplayed Kremlin threats of retaliation, claiming they were mere bluffs. He argued that Ukraine's inability to fully utilize its military capabilities due to allied-imposed restrictions should be reconsidered, urging the West to take bolder steps in supporting Kyiv.
Moscow has accused the West of supplying Ukraine with weaponry used in the Kursk attack, including British tanks and U.S. rocket systems. Ukraine confirmed using U.S.-supplied HIMARS missiles to destroy bridges in Kursk. The United States, however, denied prior knowledge of Ukraine's plans and any direct involvement in the operation.
Sergei Naryshkin, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief, expressed skepticism about Western claims of non-involvement, while Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov labeled U.S. involvement as "an obvious fact." Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that the U.S. and Britain provided Ukraine with satellite imagery and intelligence regarding the Kursk region following the attack, aimed at helping Ukraine monitor Russian troop movements and reinforcements.
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