MOSCOW: While issuing a warning, Moscow claimed on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces were planning to utilize Western-supplied missiles to target Russian territory, including the annexed peninsula of Crimea.
Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, stated during a meeting with military officials that such actions would result in “immediate retaliation.”
According to Shoigu, the leadership of Ukraine’s armed forces intends to employ HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian territory. Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014, was specifically mentioned as a potential target. In response, Russia cautioned that any use of these missiles outside the zone of the special military operation would involve the United States and Great Britain fully in the conflict, leading to immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine.
Military Support for Ukraine
The United States has played a key role in advocating for military support to Ukraine, rallying an international coalition to back Kyiv after Russia deployed troops to Ukraine in February 2022. Efforts have been made to coordinate aid from numerous countries. Moscow has accused Western nations of engaging in direct warfare against Russia by arming Ukraine.
Although recent drone attacks have targeted cities in Russia and sites in Crimea, Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for these incidents. The attacks have raised tensions in the region, with Russia closely monitoring the situation.
