Russia warns of 'fatal consequences' of using US weapons in Ukraine war

Lina PortmanJune 4, 2024

1 2 minutes read

“I would like to warn the American leadership against miscalculations that could have fatal consequences,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday. File photo by Maxim Shemetov/EPA-EFE
Ukraine in recent weeks has asked the United States for permission to use the weapons “that we are providing to defend against this aggression, including against Russian forces that gather on the Russian side of the border and then attack the 'Ukraine,' the Secretary of State said. » declared Head of State Antony Blinken last week. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
US President Joe Biden delivers a speech on May 31 at the White House. Following Biden's policy shift, Germany also changed its stance on the use of weapons it gave to Ukraine, in a move that echoes its U.S. counterparts. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

June 3 (UPI) — The Kremlin on Monday issued a stark warning against Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons to strike targets in Russia, in moves likely to further escalate Europe's ongoing military conflict. ballast.

“I would like to warn the American leadership against miscalculations that could have fatal consequences,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday.

The Biden administration last week lifted a ban on Ukraine firing U.S. weapons into Russian territory, but it is still prohibited from launching deeper strikes into Russia using U.S.-made weapons.

President Joe Biden ordered U.S. officials “to ensure that Ukraine is able to use U.S.-supplied weapons for counterfire purposes in the Kharkiv region, so that Ukraine can retaliate against Russian forces attacking them – or preparing to attack them.” » an American official then confirmed.

“For unknown reasons, [American leaders] underestimate the seriousness of the rebuff they could receive,” added the Kremlin spokesperson.

In May, Russia claimed territory captured after attacks in northeastern Ukraine when Russian military forces launched a series of assaults on the region around the northeastern city of Kharkiv. Ukraine, Ukraine's second largest city, leading to thousands of evacuations from the region.

At the time, Russian authorities claimed to have captured five villages near the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk, located just 6 km from the border with Russia.

Following Biden's policy shift, Germany also changed its stance on the use of weapons it gave to Ukraine, in a move that echoes its U.S. counterparts.

Ukraine in recent weeks has asked the United States for permission to use the weapons “that we are providing to defend against this aggression, including against Russian forces that gather on the Russian side of the border and then attack the 'Ukraine,' the Secretary of State said. Head of State Antony Blinken said last week, adding that Biden “approved the use of our weapons for this purpose.”

Last week in Sweden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged this during a press conference.

Lifting ban on use of U.S. weapons gives Ukrainian commanders in Kharkiv province, near the border with Russia, permission to counterattack Russian forces just across the border , including pre-emptive strikes.