Russia has said it could retaliate against the UK for its support of Kyiv by striking military targets inside and outside Ukraine, amid reports that the director of the CIA warned the Kremlin against attacking NATO during a secretive visit this week.
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday Britain and France were “playing with fire” after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the UK would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to start its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles. France has also agreed to supply missile technology.
A Ministry of Defence official reiterated UK support for Ukraine: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.”
The CIA Warning
The Wall Street Journal reported that a visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow on Tuesday followed a US intelligence assessment that Russia could be planning to test NATO with a limited assault on an allied country. This could range from a cyber-attack to a small-scale incursion, probably in a Baltic nation.
Ratcliffe’s reported warning mirrored one made by his predecessor, William Burns, in 2021 before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — which Moscow also denied it was contemplating.
Asked to comment on the reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “A lot of this kind of scare-story material is being published right now. Of course, it has nothing to do with reality and nothing to do with the intentions of the Russian Federation.”
Escalating Rhetoric
Russia is believed to be contemplating a further escalation of its war with Ukraine after months of escalating Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil refining infrastructure and other sites, which are imposing an increasing economic toll.
The Kremlin has adopted ever more bellicose rhetoric, much of it aimed at a domestic audience. In the space of a few days, Russia has invoked the threat of its nuclear arsenal against Japan over its territorial claim to the disputed Kuril Islands and described relations with the US as a “crisis” at a historic low point.
NATO Readiness
NATO countries neighbouring Russia have moved quickly to increase their military readiness. Poland this week announced it had taken delivery of its first shipment of South Korean Black Panther main battle tanks, which will be deployed near the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
Cezary Tomczyk, Poland’s deputy defence minister, said Warsaw was preparing for the possibility of a full-scale conflict: “We are preparing for war, hoping it never happens.”
The Bottom Line
Russia has warned the UK that it could retaliate for its support of Ukraine, calling Britain and France “playing with fire” after they agreed to supply missile technology to Kyiv. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly traveled to Moscow to warn Russia against attacking NATO. Kremlin officials have dismissed reports of planned escalation as “scare stories.” NATO allies, including Poland, are increasing their military readiness.
