Russia Threatens Retaliation Against US for Crimea Attack
The Kremlin has issued a stern warning to the United States following a missile strike on Crimea, blaming Washington for the attack that killed at least four people and injured 151. The missiles, identified as US-supplied ATACMS, were reportedly responsible for the incident in Sevastopol.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the US of directly targeting Russian civilians, stating, “You should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children.” Two children were among the casualties, according to Russian officials.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which has already strained relations between Russia and the West to a breaking point. Moscow’s response included summoning US Ambassador Lynne Tracy and warning of impending retaliatory measures.
The US, while expressing regret for any civilian casualties, denied direct involvement in targeting decisions. Pentagon spokesperson Major Charlie Dietz emphasized that “Ukraine makes its own targeting decisions and conducts its own military operations.”
The incident has heightened fears of a broader conflict, with President Vladimir Putin previously warning of the risks of a larger war involving NATO and Russia. The US has restricted Ukraine from using certain long-range weapons to strike recognized Russian territory, but the recent events suggest a potential shift in the conflict’s dynamics.
As tensions mount, the world watches closely, aware that any misstep could lead to further escalation and potentially, a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.