Russia Threatens Ukraine and the West as Long-Range Strikes Decision Approaches, According to Reuters

Moscow, Russia – Russian officials issued stark warnings to the West on Saturday, suggesting that the conflict could escalate uncontrollably and threatening to strike Kyiv as Western leaders deliberated on whether to permit Ukraine to utilize their weaponry for attacks deep into Russian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated on Friday that the success of his strategy for victory hinges on a decision from Washington, highlighting Ukraine’s longstanding request for NATO allies to authorize long-range strikes.

Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskiy’s office, emphasized the need for decisive action via the Telegram messaging app, stating, "Strong decisions are needed. Terror can be stopped by destroying the military facilities where it originates."

Kyiv maintains that such strikes are essential for limiting Moscow’s capacity to launch further attacks on Ukraine. However, allies have expressed hesitance, fearing that Moscow may perceive this as an escalation and questioning the effectiveness of the strikes.

Although no official announcement on the authorization has been made, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that the decision had already been reached and communicated to Kyiv, implying that Moscow would respond accordingly.

"The decision has been made; carte blanche has been given to Kyiv, so we are prepared for anything," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency. "And we will react in a manner that will not be pretty."

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as deputy chairman of the security council, warned that the West is testing Russia’s patience, which is not infinite. He pointed to Ukraine’s operations in Russia’s Kursk region—described by Zelenskiy as a successful maneuver that has impeded Russia’s progress—as providing Russia with justification to consider using its nuclear capabilities.

Medvedev suggested that Russia might ultimately resort to nuclear arms or deploy some of its advanced non-nuclear weapons for a significant attack. He ominously remarked, "And that would be it. A giant, grey, melted spot instead of ‘the mother of Russian cities,’" referring to Kyiv.

In response, Yermak underscored that "loud threats from Putin’s regime are merely a reflection of his fear that terror may come to an end."