Russia said it could retaliate against the UK and France for their support of Ukraine, threatening to strike military targets inside and outside the country, amid reports that CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow this week to warn the Kremlin against attacking NATO.
Andy Burnham, Britain's prime minister, announced Monday that the UK would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to begin its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles. France has also agreed to supply missile technology to Ukraine.
Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson, said Thursday that Britain and France were "playing with fire." She stated that "the consequences can be completely unpredictable, even for them themselves," in what officials characterized as an attempt to discourage European support for Ukraine.
Zakharova warned that "any British military installation or equipment located in Ukraine or other places could be subject to retaliation in response to Ukrainian attacks with British weapons against Russian territory." She accused her British counterpart of encouraging Ukraine to use Western weaponry against Russia.
Russian authorities withdrew their ambassador from London a month ago. On Thursday, Zakharova challenged the UK, suggesting it could become Russia's next target. The foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated previous warnings about potential consequences for nations providing military support to Kyiv.
The threats come as Ratcliffe, the CIA director, conducted a secretive visit to Moscow this week. According to U.S. media reports, the purpose of his visit was to attempt to dismantle Russian plans to attack eastern European Union territory. The exact details and outcomes of the meeting have not been publicly disclosed by either side.
Russia has made frequent threats against Ukraine's Western allies throughout the ongoing conflict. The latest warnings from Moscow target not only the UK and France but also reference Germany in connection with military support provided to Kyiv.
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