Putin Threatens Nuclear Response, Accuses NATO of Planning to Strike Russian Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to NATO on Thursday, cautioning against the deployment of troops to aid Ukraine and making an explicit nuclear threat.

Addressing Russia’s parliament, Putin referenced past interventions and asserted that any new involvement would result in “much more tragic” consequences for those intervening. He underscored Russia’s capability to strike targets in foreign territories, escalating the potential for a conflict involving nuclear weapons and the dire prospect of civilization’s destruction.

The warning followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal earlier in the week to send Western troops to assist Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion. This suggestion drew fierce opposition from the Kremlin and was rebuffed by NATO allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Putin asserted in his speech that Russian forces have seized the initiative on the battlefield and are making steady progress. He cited the recent capture of the eastern town of Avdiivka by Kremlin troops after a prolonged and bloody battle as evidence of their advancing position.

Emphasizing familiar slogans that have guided Russia’s military ambitions in Ukraine, Putin vowed to eradicate Nazism and accomplish the objectives of the ongoing army operation while safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Russian citizens.

Putin highlighted the purported overwhelming support for the invasion among Russian citizens, citing examples of people working tirelessly to supply ammunition and aid to Moscow’s forces.

Addressing recent assertions from Washington D.C. regarding Russia’s alleged plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, Putin rejected these claims but acknowledged ongoing efforts by Russian “scientists and gunsmiths” to develop advanced weapon systems.

The Russian president’s remarks underscored the heightened tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and the potential for further escalation, including the ominous spectre of nuclear confrontation. As diplomatic efforts continue to address the crisis, Putin’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the grave consequences of military intervention in the region.