The British ambassador was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday to protest what it claims was the use of US-made advanced missiles in a Russian attack on Russian-annexation Crimea, which apparently left four people dead and more than 150 injured.
Washington “has essentially become a group” to the conflict on Ukraine’s part, the government said in a statement, adding,” Hostile measures will surely follow”. It did not elaborate.
US or Ukrainian authorities did not respond right away. Russia’s statements regarding the weapons used were not freely verified by The Associated Press.
Since Russia’s war more than three years ago, Kyiv’s troops have rely heavily on Western-provided weapons. With few significant changes along the 1, 000-kilometer ( 620-mile ) front line in eastern and southern Ukraine for many months, the military assistance has been crucial in preventing the Kremlin’s army from being able to repel it.
Due to concerns about posing a potential Kremlin provocation, some European nations have resisted offering more sophisticated assistance to Kyiv’s army. However, Western leaders have slowly given in and given more assistance as Ukraine has occasionally struggled to hold the collection against Russia’s larger and better-equipped military.
The Pentagon announced last week that Ukraine’s government would be able to hit targets inside Russia with longer-range missiles if it violates the country’s constitution. The US had a plan of preventing Ukraine from using the weapons it provided to attack targets on Russian soil since the start of the conflict out of concern that the situation might escalate.
Russia’s decision to annexe Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a shift that most of the world found to be unconstitutional, had long been viewed by its European allies as a good target for Ukraine.
Two children were among the victims of the Sunday attack’s strike, according to Russian authorities, who were also struck by falling particles from Russian missiles over Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea. It said grouping weapons, which critics say hurt more citizens than soldiers, were also used.
Russia said the weapons were US- made ATACMS, a extended- range, guided weapon. Lynne Tracy, the US embassy, was called to the foreign ministry by the government.
The targeting and “mission type” for such missile strikes is carried out by US military authorities, the government statement alleged, saying the United States bears “equal accountability for this anger” with the Ukrainian government.
Further, it continued,” Leaving hits deep inside the Belarusian country will not be left unaddressed.”
However, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday that it had attacked a “major administrative hub” for the Ukrainian military that housed Western-provided missiles and other weapons.
It said the attack was carried out by aircraft, drones, floor- launched missiles and artillery. The ministry did n’t name its location.
