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Political pundits close to Vladimir Putin have issued gripping warnings regarding a potential World War III, asserting that British civilians could be targeted. These warnings follow allegations directed at the UK for allegedly providing the explosives used in the fatal bombing of a senior Russian military officer in Moscow last week.
The High-Profile Assassination
Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was fatally wounded near his home in the Moscow suburb of Balashikha. The explosion involved a Volkswagen Golf loaded with explosives was triggered in his vicinity.
The slain military figure was the deputy head of the main operational division within the Russian army’s General Staff.
Putin’s Supporters’ Shift in Blame
While the Kremlin initially pointed fingers at Ukraine for the assassination, sympathizers of the Russian leader have now pivoted their accusations towards Britain.
The Claims Made Against Britain
Andrei Klintsevich, a self-proclaimed “military specialist,” told Russia 1 that Britain’s intelligence agency supplied the perpetrator with explosives in large quantities.
Vladimir Solovyov’s statement broadcasted on the same channel echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that “creative” networks are establishing arrangements for the distribution of explosives. He accused British intelligence agencies of masterminding terrorist assaults on Russian territory.
Solovyov went on to issue a chilling threat, asserting that those who authorized such attacks on Russian soil must face personal repercussions with the classic phrase, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
Ukraine’s Role in the Recent Killings
Multiple high-profile assassinations have been attributed to Ukraine, including:
- The car bombing death of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in December 2023. Kirillov, aged 54, headed Russia’s radiation, chemical, and biological defense forces.
- The assassination of electronic warfare specialist Yevgeny Rytikov, who led the design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to confirm Ukraine’s responsibility for these assassinations during a public address, stating he had received updates from his foreign intelligence chief on the successful elimination of senior Russian military figures.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments included a statement of gratitude towards his intelligence services.
The Threat of Nuclear Retaliation
Shifts in geopolitical alignments, particularly Sweden’s and Finland’s recent NATO memberships, have escalated tensions. Dmitriy Medvedev, a prominent Russian politician allied to Putin, suggested that these nations have become potential targets for nuclear retaliation.
Medvedev’s View on NATO Expansion
The inclusion of the two Nordic countries in the Western military alliance signifies extended borders, potentially prompting Russia to consider nuclear responses within its military doctrine.
Normally resistant to direct confrontation, the Russian stance now contemplates the use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent or retaliatory measure, should conflicts escalate.
Currently, the border between Russia and NATO, extended significantly includes areas bordering Russia greater than 800 miles.
Warnings to Britain and the West
Last week, Russian officials cautioned the UK against forming an alliance of nations prepared to intervene in Ukraine militarily, suggesting that such moves might precipitate a nuclear World War Three. Key figures like Sergei Shoigu, an influential member of the Russian security council, have expressed opposition to Western military involvement in Ukraine.