Russia has threatened to target British military facilities and has ordered its military to hold nuclear drills, an unprecedented response to what the Kremlin calls “provocative statements” from Western officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron and former British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
This announcement follows comments by Macron, suggesting he would not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, and Cameron, indicating that Kyiv could use British-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia. The Kremlin has interpreted these statements as a direct threat, prompting it to summon the UK ambassador, Nigel Casey, to issue a formal protest and warning.
The Russian foreign ministry’s stern admonition to Casey underscored the gravity of the situation: “Casey was warned that in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory with British weapons, any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and abroad” could be targets. This stark warning comes after Ukraine used British-supplied arms in a strike against Russian missile systems in the annexed Crimean peninsula.
The drills, described by the Russian defense ministry, will involve troops from the southern military district, which borders Ukraine, and are meant to “unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state.” The exercises will extend to include the Russian air force and navy, emphasizing the readiness of Russia to deploy its nuclear arsenal.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov voiced the alarm over recent rhetoric by Macron and officials from the UK and US, which discussed the potential for Western troops’ involvement in Ukraine. Peskov described such discussions as “highly dangerous rhetoric” that could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO forces and Russia.
The nuclear drills and related developments have drawn international concern. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström called Russia’s actions “particularly irresponsible and reckless,” adding to the growing anxiety over the possibility of the conflict escalating beyond Ukraine’s borders. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian intelligence, labeled the Kremlin’s statements as “nuclear blackmail,” a tactic he asserts is commonplace for Putin’s regime.
The international community remains on edge as these drills unfold and as the Russian foreign ministry declares its intent to develop new intermediate and short-range missiles, reportedly in response to similar movements by the US in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Russia is presently advancing with an offensive in eastern Ukraine, amassing thousands of troops for an assault on the strategically important town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. On Sunday, it asserted to have seized control of the frontline village of Ocheretyne, followed by claims on Monday of capturing two additional villages, Kotlyarivka and Soloviove.
Relevant articles:
– Russia-Ukraine war as it happened: Moscow says British military facilities could be targeted after Cameron’s remarks , The Guardian, 05/07/2024
– Russia threatens UK military and orders nuclear drills after ‘provocation’, The Guardian, 05/06/2024
– Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West’s possible deepening role in Ukraine, The Associated Press, 05/06/2024
– Ukraine updates: Russia orders nuclear preparation drills – DW – 05, DW (English), 05/06/2024
– Russia announces nuclear drills, threatens UK targets beyond Ukraine, Yahoo News UK, 05/06/2024