Vladimir Putin’s former number two said Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine if the nations’ defences were to be breached.
Dmitry Medvedev said the Kremlin is prepared to retaliate on any attacks on Russian territory involving missiles NATO nations provided to Kyiv’s defence forces.
The former Russian Prime Minister, who now heads the country’s Security Council, previously warned nuclear war remains on the table as the war in Ukraine rages on.
He insisted Moscow would do anything to protect its “territorial integrity” and Ukraine would need to remember any violation of Russia’s nuclear doctrine could result in a nuclear strike.
As Western nations continue to show their support to Ukraine with military supplies, Medvedev said: “This is not a right to self-defence, but a direct and obvious basis for our use of nuclear weapons against such a state.”
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Medvedev’s warning comes as Ukraine continues to target Russian airbases to oust all invading troops from its territory.
The strikes have grown bolder over time, with Ukraine’s defence forces striking Russian infrastructure within the country’s borders.
Last August, Ukraine destroyed multiple Il-76 military transport aircraft in an airfield at Pskov, near the border with Estonia, Latvia and Belarus.
It comes as Ukraine warned Russia’s persistent strikes are using up Ukraine’s air defence resources and leaving it vulnerable unless it can secure further weapons supplies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last month that he wants to mobilise up to 500,000 more troops to meet the pressure of the counter-offensive.
Zelensky however said he had asked the brass to spell out the details on what is “a very sensitive matter” before deciding whether to grant their wish.
