Russian Ambassador: Britain has become directly involved in the Ukraine war

The Russian ambassador to London, Andrei Kelin, said Thursday that Britain is now “directly involved” in the Ukraine war after Kiev used “Storm Shadow” missiles to strike targets inside Russia, while the British government responded by saying that it would not back down or be distracted by comments from Vladimir Putin or Russian Ambassador.

Speaking to the network SkyNews British, Kelin called on the West to carefully consider the low threshold level set by Russia for the use of nuclear weapons.

This comes after Western allies agreed to Ukraine’s use of long-range Western missiles to strike targets inside Russia this week, following months of Ukrainian insistence.

Kiev fired British Storm Shadow missiles at Russia a few days after US President Joe Biden agreed to the same policy change.

Russia said on Thursday that its air defenses shot down two British Storm Shadow missiles.

The Russian ambassador considered that Britain’s allowing Ukraine to use its missiles across the border “dragged the United Kingdom into the conflict.”

Killin added: “Certainly, Britain and the United Kingdom (in its entirety) are now directly involved in this war, because these operations cannot take place without the presence of NATO personnel, including British personnel as well.”

He continued, saying: “The US administration, with the support of France and the United Kingdom, took a deliberate decision to carry out these attacks, which seriously escalates the situation and may lead to a collision between nuclear powers.”

Kelin described this as “deliberate deception against us,” stressing that he had received many assurances in the past that Storm Shadow missiles would only be used inside Ukrainian territory.

Putin’s warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded on Thursday, saying that Russia had tested a new hypersonic, medium-range missile in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

He warned that it could also be used against military facilities of countries that allow Kiev to use its missiles.

“We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against the military facilities of countries that allow the use of their weapons against our facilities,” Putin said.

He continued: “In the event of an escalation of hostilities, we will respond firmly and in a similar manner.”

“foreign fighters”

When asked about the difference between Ukraine’s use of British missiles and Russia’s use of Chinese, Iranian and North Korean equipment and human resources, British Ambassador Killeen referred to foreign fighters on the Ukrainian side.

“On this issue, I can simply say that we have many mercenaries from different countries now fighting alongside Ukraine,” he said.

He added: “We recently saw a Polish unit in the Kursk region, wearing a special uniform worn by Polish soldiers. So what is the problem?”

London: We will not back down

In response to Killeen’s comments, a Downing Street spokesman said the government would not “back down or be distracted by comments from Vladimir Putin or the Russian ambassador.”

Until this week, Britain said its tanks, anti-tank missiles and other equipment could be used inside Russia, but it had placed restrictions on the use of long-range missiles, which is in line with US policy.

This week, President Putin again raised the possibility of using nuclear weapons when he approved changes that lower the threshold for using such weapons.

Observers viewed the move as empty threats, but the Russian ambassador told SkyNews that he hoped the change would be considered “carefully by Western experts,” as underestimating the risk of escalation was “dangerous.”

Intercontinental ballistic missile

On Thursday, reports indicated that Russia may have launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the weapon used had a speed and altitude similar to an intercontinental ballistic missile.

He added: “Today, our crazy neighbors showed once again what they really are, and how they disdain dignity, freedom and human life in general. He (Putin) is so afraid that he has started using new missiles.”

He added that an investigation is underway to determine the type of missile.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said that reports of the missile’s use were “deeply worrying.”

However, in his television address on Thursday evening, Putin spoke of his forces using a new medium-range missile to hit a missile factory in Dnipro.

US officials also said their initial assessment was that the missile was a “medium-range weapon.”

In contrast, an ICBM can fly farther, with a range of more than 3,500 miles (5,600 km). It is usually used to carry nuclear warheads but can also carry other warheads.

**How might the provision of long-range ‍missiles like Storm Shadow impact Russia’s calculus regarding ‌the use of ‌tactical‌ nuclear weapons, and what steps could the West take to minimize this risk?**

## World Today News: Ukraine Conflict Escalates

**Special Guests:**

* Dr. Anya Petrova, Professor‍ of International Relations, Johns Hopkins University

* Colonel James Thompson ‍(Ret.), Former NATO⁤ Strategic Analyst

**Introduction:**

Welcome⁤ to World Today News. We’re here today to​ discuss the rapidly ‌evolving situation in Ukraine, particularly following recent developments involving the ‌use of long-range missiles and heightened tensions‌ between⁣ Russia and the West. Joining us are Dr. Anya Petrova, a leading expert on international relations, and Colonel James Thompson, a retired NATO analyst with extensive ​experience in strategic planning.

**Section 1: Escalation ‍and the Use of Storm Shadow Missiles:**

* **Moderator:** ⁢Dr. Petrova,‍ Russia claims that Britain’s provision of ‍Storm Shadow missiles to ​Ukraine constitutes direct involvement in the war. Does this mark a significant escalation, and what are the broader geopolitical implications?

* ‍**Dr. Petrova:** (Responds)

* **Moderator:** Colonel Thompson, how does the use of long-range missiles⁤ like Storm Shadow change the dynamics of the conflict on the ⁣ground? What potential risks and opportunities does this introduce for both sides?

* **Colonel Thompson:** (Responds)

**Section 2: Russia’s Response and Nuclear Rhetoric:**

* ‌**Moderator:** President Putin has warned⁣ of potential retaliation against countries‍ supporting Ukraine, ‍including‌ the use of new hypersonic ​missiles. He also reiterated lowering the threshold​ for nuclear weapons use. Colonel Thompson, ⁢how credible are these threats, and how should ‌the West respond?

* ⁢**Colonel ‍Thompson:** (Responds)

* **Moderator:** Dr. Petrova, does Russia’s rhetoric represent a genuine shift in‌ their nuclear posture, or is it primarily a tactic to⁢ deter further Western intervention?

* **Dr. Petrova:** (Responds)

**Section ⁢3: The Dilemma of Foreign Fighters:**

* **Moderator:** ​The Russian ambassador brought up the presence of foreign fighters on the Ukrainian side as justification for their ⁣actions. ​Dr.Petrova, is this a legitimate point of contention, and how⁢ does it factor into ​the overall narrative​ of the conflict?

* **Dr. Petrova:** (Responds)

* **Moderator:** Colonel Thompson, does the involvement of foreign fighters complicate​ the conflict’s resolution? What are‌ the ethical considerations surrounding their participation?

* **Colonel ​Thompson:** (Responds)

**Section 4:⁤ The Path Forward: Diplomacy and De-escalation:**

*⁢ **Moderator:** Dr. ‌Petrova, given the current tensions, what are the prospects ‌for a diplomatic resolution to⁣ this conflict? ⁣What steps could the international community take to de-escalate the situation ⁤and prevent further bloodshed?

* **Dr. Petrova:** (Responds)

* ‌**Moderator:** Colonel Thompson, from your military perspective, ⁢what type of⁢ outcome is most likely, and what are the potential long-term consequences of this escalation for Europe and the global order?

* **Colonel Thompson:**⁣ (Responds)

**Conclusion:**

We thank our ​guests​ for ⁢their insightful ⁤perspectives. The situation‍ in Ukraine remains deeply concerning, and we urge all parties to prioritize dialog and seek a peaceful resolution.

We encourage our viewers to stay informed and engage in constructive dialog about ⁢this complex ‌and evolving conflict.