On Thursday, Russia warned the United States and its key allies that severe military action would ensue if they continued to spur Ukrainian attacks on Russia.
Ukraine has been supplied with arms and military funding from various NATO countries, including the U.S. and Britain. Russia claims that this is a direct interference and threatens Russia and European security.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “In itself, the tendency to pump weapons, including heavy weapons, to Ukraine and other countries are actions that threaten the continent’s security and provoke instability.”
Within the past week, Russia claims that arms depots, fuel stores, and railways used to supply Russian troops inside Ukraine have been attacked. According to Reuters, Ukraine has not taken responsibility for the attacks but is thought to be behind them.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated that Ukraine attacking Russian logistics would be a viable form of defense but said it is unlikely that British-supplied weapons carried out the attack.
The Russian government also accused Britain of encouraging Ukraine to attack targets inside Russia and warned that continued provocations would result in a “proportional response,” per Reuters.
“In the West, they are openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia, including with the use of weapons received from NATO countries,” said Maria Zakharov, spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry. “I don’t advise you to test our patience further.”
As support from the U.S. and its allies pours into Ukraine, Sergei Naryshkin, chief of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, claimed the U.S. and Poland are attempting to gain influence in Ukraine, which could result in a standoff between the West and Russia before the fighting in Ukraine can end.
Zakharova gave a grim picture of what could be expected if the U.S. and NATO countries continued their attempts to drive Russia from Ukraine by allegedly provoking attacks on Russian soil.
“Kyiv and West capitals should take the statement from the Ministry of Defence seriously that further inciting of Ukraine to strike Russian territory will definitely lead to a tough response from Russia,” she said.
Zakharova was referencing a Tuesday announcement from Russia’s defense ministry stating the country would begin its retaliation by attacking decision-making centers in Ukraine, such as its capital Kyiv.
Tensions between Russia and the U.S. are at an all-time high, reaching levels seen during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. The U.S., Britain, and other NATO countries have been heavy advocates of Ukraine since Russia launched its “special military operation” in February.
According to Politico, the U.S. has committed between $3.4 and $3.7 billion in aid to Ukraine. Along with financial support, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with various missiles, helicopters, grenade launchers, a vast array of guns and armor, Humvees, Switchblade drones, radar sensors, and other equipment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated he believes the outpour of aid from the West to Ukraine is part of a broader plan to destroy Russia and declared that such an endeavor would not be successful.