Russia on Monday threatened to strike British military facilities and said it would hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons amid sharply rising tensions over comments by senior Western officials about possibly deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.
After summoning the British ambassador to the Foreign Ministry, Moscow warned that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with U.K.-supplied weapons could bring retaliatory strikes on British military facilities and equipment on Ukrainian soil or elsewhere.
The remarks came on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration to a fifth term in office and in a week when Moscow on Thursday will celebrate Victory Day, its most important secular holiday, marking its defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The drills are a response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
At least 4 killed and 1 injured in building collapse in eastern China, state media says
Stock market today: World shares retreat, though China stocks are lifted by new property measures
Senior teacher at William and Harry's £27,000
French police killed a suspect planning to set fire to a synagogue
North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes in mid
SAS legend Chris Ryan warns Britain needs a bigger 'professional Army
Taiwan is selling more to the US than China in major shift away from Beijing
Venezuela's barred opposition candidate is now the fiery surrogate of her lesser
North Korea plans to launch a rocket soon, likely carrying its 2nd military spy satellite
Father screamed 'my boy is dead' after son, six, 'fell from kitchen window' of 15th floor flat
Bochum survives dramatic playoff against Düsseldorf to stay in Bundesliga
Taiwan is selling more to the US than China in major shift away from Beijing