Russia has threatened to attack a new US defense base in Poland with “advanced weapons” just hours after it reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into Ukraine on Thursday.
The Russian government leveled the warning after saying the opening of a ballistic missile defense base in the town of Redikovo near the Baltic coast would lead to an increase in the overall nuclear danger level.
“Given the nature and level of threat posed by such Western military installations, Polish missile defense bases have long been on the list of priority targets for potential destruction and, if necessary, a wide range of advanced weaponry. '', Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
The U.S. military base in Redikovo, which opened on November 13, is part of a broader NATO missile shield known as Aegis Ashore that can intercept short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, according to the alliance. .
“This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilizing actions by the United States and its allies in the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic field,” Zakharova said of the base opening.
“This undermines strategic stability and increases strategic risks, resulting in an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger.”
Poland has stressed that the base poses no threat and does not possess nuclear missiles.
“This is a base that serves defensive purposes, not offensive purposes,” Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said.
“Such a threat would certainly provide a rationale for strengthening Polish and NATO air defenses, which the United States should also consider.”
The Kremlin's warning came after Kiev's air force announced earlier Thursday that Russian forces had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
The Ukrainian Air Force said the missile was fired from Russia's Astrakhan region, about 735 miles from Dnipro in east-central Ukraine.
“Today, a new Russian missile was launched. All characteristics such as speed, altitude, etc. are of an intercontinental ballistic (missile). Experts (investigation) are currently underway,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. said in a video statement.
Asked about Ukraine's statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters to contact the Russian military for comment.
If the firing is confirmed, it will further escalate tensions that have soared rapidly after the Ukraine shooting. us missile It attacked targets inside Russia this week, even though the Russian government has warned that such action would be a major escalation and Russian officials have said it could lead to World War III.
with post wire
