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Russian officials have issued severe warnings, including potential nuclear retaliation, if Ukraine uses long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced that Western leaders have already approved this move, compelling Moscow to prepare an aggressive response.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev indicated that Moscow could justify using nuclear weapons due to a recent Ukrainian invasion in the Kursk region. He also suggested non-nuclear options to obliterate Kyiv, emphasizing Moscow’s readiness to escalate.
These threats emerged as the U.S. and Britain debated allowing Ukraine to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s insistence on the necessity of such weapons for victory, no decision has been reached.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that NATO’s involvement in providing long-range missiles would be seen as direct participation in the war. Concurrently, Russia launched drone attacks on Kyiv, causing infrastructure damage but no immediate fatalities.
Think tanks have expressed varied perspectives on this escalating situation. The Atlantic Council warns that nuclear threats destabilize global security and calls for a firm, unified Western response. The Brookings Institution acknowledges the strategic benefits of Ukraine using long-range missiles but emphasizes the risk of severe Russian retaliation. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace advocates for diplomatic solutions to avoid nuclear brinkmanship. Meanwhile, the RAND Corporation stresses the need for a calculated approach and close NATO consultations to mitigate the risks of escalation.
As tensions rise, the global community anxiously hopes for a peaceful resolution.