The Kremlin has issued a stark warning to Western nations, cautioning that any decision to supply Ukraine with long-range Western missiles could significantly escalate the conflict and provoke a strong response from Moscow. This warning came as Ukrainian officials pressed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy to provide long-range ATACMS missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, capable of reaching targets deep within Russia.
The U.S. and European stance on arming Ukraine with such long-range capabilities has been cautious, primarily due to concerns about exacerbating the ongoing conflict. However, recent signals suggest a possible shift in Washington’s position. President Joe Biden indicated on Tuesday that his administration is currently deliberating on whether to ease restrictions on Kyiv’s use of these advanced missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed skepticism about the delay, suggesting that the U.S. might have already decided to permit Ukraine to use these weapons against Russian targets. Peskov warned that such a move would represent a significant escalation, increasing the direct involvement of the U.S. and Europe in the war. He emphasized that Russia would respond to any new military aid with an “appropriate” reaction.
Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia’s State Duma and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, warned that Moscow might resort to more powerful and destructive weapons if Ukraine were to utilize long-range Western missiles against Russian targets. Volodin accused Washington and European countries of becoming active participants in the conflict, further heightening tensions.
Sergei Ryabkov, a deputy foreign minister, echoed these concerns, stating that Russia would take measures to neutralize any new deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine. Ryabkov labeled the potential escalation as dangerous and warned that risks associated with the conflict are increasing. He asserted that Russia would destroy any new shipments of ATACMS, as it has done with previous U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine.
The ATACMS, with a range of up to 190 miles, and the Storm Shadow missiles, with a range of around 155 miles, are seen as pivotal in Ukraine’s strategy to strike Russian military bases. While Ukraine is already using these missiles within its internationally recognized borders, it seeks to extend their reach to target locations inside Russia itself.
