Russia warns the West to cross all red lines in Ukraine

Moscow believes that, by supplying more and more lethal weapons to Ukraine, the US and its Western allies have "crossed all red lines" that Russia has put in place in the conflict in Ukraine.

"The West has crossed all red lines. NATO has been partly directly involved in the war because it not only provides weapons, but also shares intelligence with Ukraine," said Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy. Interview with Newsweek on February 15.

The Russian diplomat further explained: "That's when Ukrainian artillery systems, especially HIMARS, can only hit their targets with the support of Washington, which is acknowledged by the Ukrainian authorities themselves."

"That means NATO not only provides weapons, but also selects targets for Ukraine's attacks. That's not direct involvement what is," Mr. Polyanskiy said.

Mr. Polyanskiy appeared to be referring to a Washington Post report on February 9 that quoted an unnamed Ukrainian official as saying that Kiev had asked the US and its allies to provide or confirm the coordinates of the target in most of the attacks. using advanced US-aided missile systems.

"A senior Ukrainian official said that Ukrainian forces almost never launch advanced weapons without specific coordinates provided by the US from a base in Europe. They said the process would gives Washington confidence in providing long-range weapons to Kiev," the Washington Post wrote.

An unnamed US official also confirmed that the support to identify the target is to ensure accuracy as well as save ammunition. However, the official stressed, Ukraine decides on its own what targets it will strike and often attacks Russian forces with other weapons on its own, without depending on consensus from the US. "The US only provides coordinates and precise targeting information in an advisory role," he said.

"We have long acknowledged that we share intelligence with Ukraine, but the Ukrainians are responsible for finding targets, identifying them, and then deciding whether to do so," said Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder. The United States does not approve targets, nor do we participate in the selection or attack of targets."

In an interview with Newsweek, Mr. Polyanskiy also accused mercenaries from Western countries of being involved in the war in Ukraine. "There are no NATO troops on the battlefield NATO countries see that as a red line, but as far as we know, they have crossed that red line. Of course, this will affect future relations between the two countries. Russia and the West. Any action by them to move weapons to Ukraine's war zone will be seen as adding fuel to the fire," Mr. Polyanskiy warned.

The Russian diplomat commented that if NATO did not support Ukraine, Russia's military operation would have been completed long ago.

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine from February 24, 2022. The conflict continues to escalate as it prepares to enter its second year. The Pravda news site quoted British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace as saying that Russia has mobilized about 97% of its troops for the military campaign in Ukraine. However, according to Wallace, so far, Russia has not been able to make a breakthrough in breaking through Ukraine's defenses.

The Financial Times quoted Western intelligence sources on February 15 as saying that Russia is gathering a large number of military aircraft and helicopters on the border with Ukraine. This move of Moscow is said to prepare for a large-scale air war to break the stalemate on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Russia warns the West to cross all red lines in Ukraine

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