Russia alerts US: world war three risks escalate

In a stern warning on Tuesday, Russia cautioned the United States that the potential decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western missiles could have dire consequences.

The Russian government stated that such actions by the West would be akin to playing with fire. It emphasized that the ramifications of a potential conflict would extend far beyond the borders of Europe, potentially escalating into a global conflict.

On 6 August, Ukraine launched an attack on Russia's western Kursk region, resulting in the seizure of a significant portion of the territory. This incident marks the most prominent foreign assault on Russia since the Second World War. President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia will not let the attack go unanswered, promising a solid and appropriate response.

In a recent statement, Sergei Lavrov, a long-standing foreign minister under Putin's administration, expressed his concerns about the West's intentions in the Ukraine war. Lavrov warned that considering Ukrainian requests to relax restrictions on foreign-supplied weapons could lead to trouble.

Ever since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin has consistently emphasised the potential for a larger-scale war that could involve the world's major nuclear powers. However, he has clarified that Russia does not seek a confrontation with the U.S.-led NATO alliance.

"It is of utmost importance to reiterate the grave risks associated with engaging in reckless behaviour akin to children toying with matches. This pertains specifically to the responsible adults who have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of handling nuclear weapons in various Western nations," Lavrov informed reporters in Moscow.

Lavrov stated that Americans firmly link discussions about a potential Third World War to the belief that it would primarily impact Europe if it were to occur.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that his country is "clarifying" its nuclear doctrine.

Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine outlines the conditions under which its president would contemplate deploying a nuclear weapon. These conditions include responding to an attack involving nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction, as well as conventional weapons, mainly when the nation's survival is at stake.

The response from Russia

In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy boldly declared that the attack on Russia's Kursk region exposed the empty threats of retaliation coming from the Kremlin.

President Zelenskiy's urgent plea for more decisive action from allies to support Kyiv during the conflict underscores the gravity of the situation.

He revealed that Ukraine's hands were tied, unable to utilise its available weapons to target specific Russian military sites due to restrictions imposed by its allies.

According to Russia, Ukraine has reportedly utilised Western weaponry, such as British tanks and U.S. rocket systems, in the region of Kursk.

Kyiv has officially acknowledged the utilisation of U.S. HIMARS missiles to target and destroy bridges in Kursk.

Washington's denial of any involvement in Ukraine's unexpected incursion into Kursk adds a layer of tension and uncertainty to the situation.

According to the United States, they should have been given prior information about the operation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sergei Naryshkin, Russia's foreign intelligence chief, expressed scepticism towards Western claims that Moscow was not involved in the Kursk attack. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the United States' involvement is undeniable.

According to a report by The New York Times, the United States and Britain shared satellite imagery and other crucial information with Ukraine in the aftermath of the attack in the Kursk region.

According to The Times, the intelligence was intended to assist Ukraine in improving its monitoring of Russian reinforcements.