Russia warned the West on Thursday that any further attack on Russian territory would be met with a harsh military reaction, accusing the US and its key European allies of openly pushing Ukraine to attack Russia.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 killed thousands of people, displaced millions more, and sparked concerns about the most severe conflict between Russia and the US since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Russia has reported a series of strikes by Ukrainian forces on Russian regions bordering Ukraine in recent days, two months after it invaded Ukraine, and has warned that such actions threaten a substantial escalation.
Ukraine has not openly admitted involvement in the incidents, but claims they are retaliation, while Russia has reacted angrily to assertions from NATO member Britain that it is permissible for Ukraine to attack Russian logistics.
“They are openly calling on Kyiv to attack Russia, including with NATO-supplied weaponry,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.
“I don’t recommend that you continue to strain our patience.”
If such assaults continue, Russia’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that it will target decision-making centers in Ukraine, including those where it claims Western advisers are assisting Kyiv.
“Kyiv and Western capitals should take the Ministry of Defense’s comments seriously,” Zakharova said, adding that “further inciting of Ukraine to strike Russian territory will undoubtedly result in a harsh response from Russia.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was portrayed by Zakharova as a puppet of the West who was being used by the US to threaten Russia.
“You’re being manipulated,” Zakharova explained.
