Kremlin Warns US of Retaliation if Ukraine is Permitted to Use American Missiles Against Targets Inside Russia

The Kremlin has issued a stern warning to the US, signaling it will respond “accordingly” if Washington lifts restrictions on Ukraine using American-supplied missiles to strike targets inside Russia.

This statement came from Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Peskov emphasized that Russia’s ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine is already a response to Western actions.

“There’s no need to expect reactions from all sides. The ‘special military operation’ is the response to all of these actions,” Interfax quoted Peskov as saying on Wednesday.

The warning followed comments from US President Joe Biden, who mentioned that his administration was considering whether to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons. The discussion gained momentum as top US and UK diplomats arrived in Kyiv to address military support for Ukraine.

“All these decisions have most likely already been made,” Peskov added, suggesting that the US media is simply preparing the public for a decision that’s already in motion. Peskov also accused Washington and its allies of increasing their involvement in the Ukraine conflict, arguing that each new move “increases the degree of this involvement.”

Ukraine has been pushing for permission to hit military targets deep inside Russian territory with US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which can hit targets up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away. This request has been met with caution from the US, which seeks to support Ukraine while avoiding a direct conflict with Russia, both nuclear powers.

At a joint press conference in London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy discussed their plans to visit Kyiv within this week. They aim to further coordinate military aid with Ukrainian leaders. Blinken also announced a meeting between US President Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington. The two leaders are expected to decide on additional support for Ukraine, based on the diplomats’ findings during their visit.

While Blinken emphasized that the US will consider Ukraine’s requests, he was careful not to reveal specific plans, fearing it could “play into the hands of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.” Blinken further warned that Russia poses the greatest threat to European security since the Cold War, adding that the coming winter could be critical for Ukraine as Russia continues to destroy its energy infrastructure.

Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western military aid to Ukraine, arguing that it not only worsens the conflict but also increases the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO powers, accusing the West of provoking conflicts through NATO expansion and the deployment of weapon systems in proximity to Russian territories.