Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has issued his strongest warning yet regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that it could escalate into a nuclear disaster.
This warning comes in response to the recent decision by US President Joe Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine using American-supplied weapons for direct attacks on Russian soil.
This significant policy shift follows extensive discussions among officials from the White House, the US military, and the State Department.
US Lifts Restrictions on Ukrainian Weapon Use
Two US officials confirmed that the restrictions have been lifted, allowing Ukraine to use American weapons to defend the northeastern Kharkiv region.
This area has been the focal point of intense battles for control. The US decision marks a pivotal moment in the conflict, potentially altering the dynamics of the war and escalating tensions between the US and Russia.
Russia’s Reaction: Strikes on Kharkiv
In response to the US decision, Russia launched strikes on the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
These attacks resulted in the deaths of three people and injured 23 others, including two children.
Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, declared that Russia would target Western-supplied weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere if deployed from third countries.
He argued that such actions by the US and its allies amount to direct participation in the war against Russia, which could become a casus belli, or a cause for war.
Medvedev’s Nuclear Warning
Medvedev’s comments underscore the gravity of the situation. He criticized what he described as NATO’s naïveté in assuming that Russia would never use non-strategic nuclear weapons against Ukraine or NATO countries.
He pointed out that previous Western miscalculations had already led to the current war, suggesting that similar miscalculations regarding nuclear weapons could have catastrophic consequences.
Medvedev stressed that European countries’ high population density and the strategic potential of Russia’s long-range nuclear arsenal mean that any escalation could have devastating effects.
NATO’s Position and Western Reactions
The US and its Western allies have largely resisted Ukraine’s calls to use Western missiles on Russian targets due to concerns about escalating the conflict and drawing NATO directly into the war.
However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently urged member states to reconsider these restrictions.
French President Emmanuel Macron also supported Ukraine’s right to neutralize Russian bases used for launching attacks.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been more cautious, though Germany did announce a new military aid package worth 500 million euros for Ukraine.
Impact on Kharkiv and Beyond
As the debate continues, the situation in Kharkiv remains dire. Local police have reported that residents may still be trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by recent Russian strikes.
A man and a woman were killed in an attack on a multi-storey residential building, while another strike killed a guard at a civilian production facility. Emergency responders, including medics and rescuers, were among the wounded.
Attacks in Russia’s Krasnodar Region
The conflict has also spilled over into Russian territory. In Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, an oil depot was damaged in an aerial attack, causing fires in three petroleum tanks.
The region’s governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, confirmed the incident, noting that some workers were injured.
This incident highlights the expanding geographical scope of the conflict and the increasing complexity of the situation on both sides of the border.
Conclusion: Escalating Conflict and Uncertain Future
The lifting of US restrictions on Ukrainian use of American weapons and Medvedev’s subsequent nuclear threats have significantly raised the stakes in the ongoing conflict. As Western nations deliberate over their next steps, the potential for further escalation looms large.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the risk of miscalculations leading to disastrous consequences. The international community watches closely as the conflict evolves, hoping for a resolution that can prevent further loss of life and avoid the unimaginable horrors of nuclear warfare.
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