Russia: “We will punish the West if it supports attacks on our territory – there will be serious consequences”

The escalation of tensions between and growing more and more with both the authorisation to use ATACMS ballistic missiles from Ukraine against targets on Russian soil and the revised Russian nuclear doctrine. In this context, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief warned the West today (20.11.2024) that he would face serious consequences if the US and their European allies were directly involved in a military conflict with Russia. Moscow has criticised Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine to use ATACMS-type ballistic missiles to hit targets within Russia and yesterday (19.11.2024) President Vladimir Putin lowered the “hole” in order for the country to resort to a nuclear blow in response to conventional attacks. REUTERS/Stringer Sergei Narsin, leader of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency (SVR), said Russia would punish any NATO states that help Ukraine hit targets deep on Russian territory with Western long-range weapons. “The attempts by individual NATO allies to participate in supporting possible long-range injuries with Western weapons deep inside Russian territory will not go unpunished,” Narsin told National Defence magazine. Narsin, who is the head of one of the organizations that succeeded the Soviet KGB, said that the West elites are beginning to perceive more and more “the seriousness of Russia’s intentions” . He said that the West should perceive “the need for greater restraint in its actions so as not to engage in a direct military conflict with our country, which could lead to disastrous consequences for them.” REUTERS/Stringer The background of tensions Russia said Ukraine launched US ATACMS missiles in Russia early yesterday and implied that the US should have helped with these strikes. Washington did not respond directly to these allegations but said yesterday that the revision of Russia’s nuclear doctrine is not a surprise and rejected the “irresponsible, once again, rhetoric from Russia.” Ukrainian President Volontimir Zelenski said yesterday that this review shows the Russian leader’s lack of interest in peace. The US today closed their embassy in Kiev due to “specific information on a possible major air attack” and told their citizens in Ukraine to be ready to seek immediate shelter. The Kremlin said it had no comment.