Russian President Vladmir Putin yesterday warned the West not to allow Ukraine use their long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.
Speaking in St Petersburg, he said Russia would view that as the “direct participation” of NATO countries in the war in Ukraine.
“It would substantially change the very essence, the nature of the conflict,” the Kremlin leader continued.
“This will mean that Nato countries, the USA and European states, are fighting with Russia.”
He claimed that, for missile launches into Russia, Ukraine would require data from Western satellites and that only servicemen from Nato member states would be able to “input flight missions into these missile systems”.
Russia has drawn red lines before. And seen them crossed before.
On 24 February 2022, when he announced the start of his “special military operation” – the full-scale invasion of Ukraine – President Putin issued a warning to “those who may be tempted to interfere from the outside”.
“No matter who tries to stand in our way or create threats for our country and our people, they must know that Russia will respond immediately,” the Kremlin leader had declared.
“And the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history.”
Western leaders ignored what was widely interpreted at the time as nuclear sabre-rattling.
