The Kremlin today threatened use of nuclear weapons in the wake of the Ukrainian drone strike on Moscow’s skyscraper zone.
Three drones struck an elite office building and residential skyscraper in Moscow early Sunday morning in what Russia’s Defence Ministry has branded an ‘attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime’.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and Putin ally, has warned there is ‘simply no other way out’ and said that Kyiv should ‘pray to our warriors’ that they do not ‘allow the global nuclear fire to flare up’.
Moscow said it had brought down three Ukrainian drones early on Sunday that had been trying to attack the capital. It also claimed its forces had thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to attack Russia-annexed Crimea with 25 drones overnight.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been targeted by Kyiv throughout Moscow’s Ukraine offensive but has come under more intense, increased attacks in recent weeks. Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take Crimea back.
The suspected Ukrainian attack inflicted the kind of terror on Moscow that Vladimir Putin’s armed forces have imposed on Kyiv and other Ukrainians cities during the war.
Medvedev on Sunday – Russia’s Navy Day – slammed the Ukrainian offensive, warning: ‘Our Armed Forces, repelling the counteroffensive of the collective enemy, protect the citizens of Russia and our land.
‘This is obvious to all decent people. But beyond that, they prevent world conflict.
‘After all, if we imagine that the offensive of the [Ukrainians] with the support of NATO was successful, and they seized part of our land, then we would have to, by virtue of the rules of the decree of the President of Russia dated 06/02/2020, go for the use of nuclear weapons.
‘There is simply no other way out.
‘Therefore, our enemies must pray to our warriors. They do not allow the global nuclear fire to flare up.’
He also mentioned the Kremlin’s new Armageddon high speed underwater kamikaze nuclear drone, Poseidon, which still in development. Putin supporters say the weapon could sink Britain under a giant tsunami.
‘Poseidon unmanned aerial vehicle joins the congratulations [for Navy Day] and recommends that the enemies of our country pray for the health of all Russian sailors,’ Medvedev said.
President Vladimir Putin on Sunday praised Russia’s navy in an address at an annual warship parade in Saint Petersburg, which he attended accompanied by several African leaders.
The military display took part as Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine stretches into its second year and three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow early on Sunday.
The Russian Navy has played a key role in Moscow’s assault on Ukraine by pummelling the Western-backed country with ship- and submarine-launched cruise missiles, among other operations.
Without mentioning Ukraine in his speech, Putin hailed ‘the brave crews of ships and submarines’.
‘In the name of Russia, our sailors give all their strength, show true heroism and fight valiantly, like our great ancestors,’ Putin said.
‘Today, Russia is confidently implementing major elements of its national maritime policy and is consistently building up the power of its navy,’ he added.
Forty five ships, boats and submarines took part in the parade along with around 3,000 servicemen, the Kremlin said.
