Dubai – The statement, Capitals – Agencies
Russia has urged the United States to exercise caution regarding the “nuclear rhetoric” and accused Britain of planning to target what is referred to as the “Russian shadow fleet.” Meanwhile, it has launched extensive strikes using hypersonic missiles and drones across various regions of Ukraine.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, conveyed through Russian news agency Interfax that the Kremlin does not wish to engage in a debate with the United States concerning nuclear threats, emphasizing that everyone should be prudent regarding such discourse.
Peskov dismissed concerns about nuclear escalation following former President Donald Trump’s decision to reposition two nuclear submarines near Russia, arguing that “the American submarines are on alert anyway,” but added that Russia does not see the current situation as an escalation.
He characterized this action as an emotional reaction rather than a fundamental shift in the military dynamics between the two superpowers.
When asked if the Kremlin could curb the confrontational remarks of former President Dmitry Medvedev, Peskov noted that “in every country, members of the leadership have different practical views on current events.” He underscored that “the most important thing, of course, is President Putin’s stance, as in our country, the head of state determines foreign policy.”
Peskov stated that Russia is highly attentive to the issue of nuclear non-proliferation and believes that all parties should exercise extreme caution concerning nuclear rhetoric.
Accusations Against Britain
In related developments, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service accused British intelligence of planning a significant sabotage operation against Russian oil tankers.
The damage from such operations would hypothetically enable the declaration that the transportation of Russian oil poses a threat to international maritime navigation, according to Russian news agency Sputnik.
The service’s statement read: “According to information obtained by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, British intelligence intends to employ NATO allies to conduct an assault on what is known as the ‘shadow fleet,’ which transports Russian oil.”
It was added that the rationale behind such an initiative, as attributed to London, could lead to a high-profile incident involving one or more tankers, with plans to orchestrate significant sabotage such that it could be claimed that the transportation of Russian oil threatens international maritime safety.
The statement continued: “Britain plans to time the attack to maximize its media impact, pressuring Donald Trump’s administration. The objective is to compel Washington to impose stringent secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian energy resources, who would be deemed indirectly responsible for the incident.”
Missile Strikes
On the ground, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its forces targeted military airfield infrastructure and facilities of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. In a statement it said:
“The Russian Armed Forces today carried out a massive strike using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and long-range drones against the military airfield infrastructure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.” The ministry asserted that the strike achieved its objective with all designated targets hit.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, it suspects that one of the targets was the Satrukostiantynivka airbase, with preliminary reports indicating no casualties or injuries, as confirmed by Serhiy Turetsky, governor of the Khmelnytsky region.
In Kyiv, residents reported hearing the sound of several hypersonic missiles flying overhead. Air raid alerts were issued three times nationwide after a Russian MiG-31K fighter capable of carrying Kinzhals took off.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced in a report that it intercepted 161 of the 162 drones launched by Russia during aerial attacks targeting the north, south, east, and center of the country.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Internal Security Service reported that a Russian fighter was destroyed and four other military aircraft were damaged in a drone strike the previous night on the Crimea Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.