By The Associated Press
President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened, giving another clear warning to the West shortly before an election in which he is almost certain to secure another six-year term.
The Russian leader has frequently mentioned his readiness to use nuclear weapons since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. His most recent threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month, when he cautioned the West that increasing its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.
Asked in an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin replied that there has been no need for that. He also remarked that he does not believe that the world is heading for a nuclear war, describing U.S. President Joe Biden as a seasoned politician who fully understands the potential dangers of escalation.
Nevertheless, the comments seemed to be a warning to the West that he is prepared to use all measures to safeguard his gains in Ukraine.
Putin stated that in accordance with the country’s security doctrine, Moscow is prepared to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence.”
“Everything written in our strategy remains unchanged,” he said.
Referring to NATO allies that support Kyiv, he also stated that “nations claiming they have no red lines regarding Russia should understand that Russia will not have any red lines regarding them either.”
Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, recently expressed regret that the West too often limits itself with self-imposed “red lines” regarding Russia. He also welcomed a comment by French President Emmanuel Macron that the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine could not be ruled out.
Putin mentioned the statements from Biden and his administration that the U.S. was not planning to send its troops to Ukraine. He warned that if the U.S. acts differently, Moscow would consider American troops as invaders and respond accordingly. He asserted that even if some NATO allies deploy troops to Ukraine, it will not change the course of the war.
“If it becomes official foreign military contingents, I am certain it will not change the situation on the battlefield … just as the weapons supplies have not changed anything,” he stated.
In light of recent battlefield advances, Putin argued that Ukraine and its Western allies will ultimately have to accept a deal to end the war on Russian terms.
“It should not be a pause for the enemy to rearm, but a serious discussion involving guarantees of security for the Russian Federation,” he stated.
Putin stated that a recent increase in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia is part of efforts to disrupt the country’s three-day presidential election, which begins Friday and in which he is poised to win by a large margin, given his nearly complete suppression of opposition and tight control over Russia’s political system.
Russian officials reported that Ukrainian drones carried out a significant attack early Wednesday. The Defense Ministry stated that 58 drones were shot down across six regions. One of the drones struck an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, causing injury to at least two people and igniting a fire. Another drone was intercepted while approaching a refinery near St. Petersburg.
In addition to drone strikes on Russian territory, Ukrainian forces have launched successful attacks on Russia’s naval and air assets in the Black Sea region using sea drones and missiles. These strikes have severely damaged Moscow’s naval capabilities and led to restrictions on its operations in the Black Sea.
Earlier this week, Russian media reported the dismissal of the Russian navy chief, Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, who was replaced by Alexander Moiseyev, the Northern Fleet commander. The Kremlin and the Defense Ministry have not yet confirmed the reshuffle, although Russian commentators have linked it to recent mishaps in the Black Sea Fleet.
Ukraine reported more Russian attacks early Wednesday.
A Russian attack in the eastern region of Donetsk, approximately 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) from the front line, resulted in the death of two individuals and injuries to five others in the town of Myrnohrad, according to Gov. Vadym Filashkin. Local rescuers successfully rescued a 13-year-old girl from a collapsed apartment building.
A drone launched from Russia struck a five-story building in the northern city of Sumy overnight, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to eight, as reported by the regional administration.
In the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the death toll from a Russian missile attack the previous night increased to five, according to Gov. Serhii Lysak. He stated that 43 people, including 12 children and the youngest being a 2-month-old infant, were wounded in Kryvyi Rih.
Zelenskyy expressed that Ukraine experiences similar attacks on its cities and villages every day and loses lives due to Russian aggression.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
