Russia: We could target UK diplomats in Ukraine capital
Threat after British minister backs bombing across border
MOSCOW last night warned it could target British diplomats returning to Kyiv after a defence minister’s ‘provocative’ talk of bombing Russia.
Russia’s defence ministry issued the threat after Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said that the UK backed Ukrainian air strikes on Russian infrastructure.
He added that it would be ‘completely legitimate’ for British weapons to be used in such attacks, even though none are currently thought to be.
But his remarks were seized upon by the Kremlin, with the defence ministry accusing him of ‘provocation.’
In a significant escalation of tensions, Moscow warned that it would be prepared to strike back at ‘decision-making centres’ in Kyiv in retaliation – even if British and other Western diplomats were present.
It comes after Boris Johnson last week announced that Britain will reopen its embassy in Kyiv two months after staff were evacuated as war broke out. The embassy is due to open this week ‘dependent on the security situation’. Melinda Simmons, UK ambassador to Ukraine, is poised to become one of the first diplomats to return.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced during a visit to Kyiv that American diplomats would also be returning to the capital ‘within weeks’.
Responding to Mr Heappey’s support for Ukrainian attacks on Russian supply lines, a Kremlin spokesman said: ‘We would like to underline that London’s direct provocation of the Kyiv regime into such actions – if such actions are carried out – will immediately lead to our proportional response.
‘As we have warned, the Russian armed forces are in round-the-clock readiness to launch retaliatory strikes with high-precision long-range weapons at decision-making centres in Kyiv. The presence of advisers from Western countries in the Ukrainian decision-making centres won’t necessarily pose a problem for Russia in making a decision to launch retaliatory action.’
Mr Heappey told Times Radio yesterday the UK has a duty to support any Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure because these could prevent deaths of civilians. This week a key restocking depot in Bryansk 95 miles inside Russia was hit, causing explosions at fuel tanks and a refinery. Ukraine has not admitted carrying out the attack.
Mr Heappey said: ‘I think it is certainly the case that things [weapons] that the international community are now providing to Ukraine have the range to be used over the borders. But that’s not necessarily a problem. It is completely legitimate for Ukraine to be targeting in Russia’s depth in order to disrupt the logistics that if they weren’t disrupted would directly contribute to death and carnage on Ukrainian soil.’
He also insisted that Ukraine can still win the war if the West continues to provide the necessary equipment.
Meanwhile, 40 Nato and EU defence ministers yesterday met in Germany to agree to send heavier weapon systems to Ukraine.
After weeks of dithering, Germany announced it would provide 50 Gepard antiaircraft systems. It followed harsh criticism from the US and Europe that it had been far too hesitant to deliver heavy weaponry as it feared widening the conflict.
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin revealed senior officials from the alliance would meet once a month to ensure they optimised opportunities to send military equipment. He stressed: ‘We have no time to lose. We have to move at the speed of war.’
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave her support for the UK providing Ukraine with more powerful weapons. She said it was no longer enough to supply ‘defensive weaponry’ as the nature of the battle had changed. She told MPs: ‘For too long there was a false distinction between defensive and offensive weapons. It became an excuse for some to drag their feet. That time has now passed.’
‘We’ll strike back at decision centres’