Firmly Warns West, Russia: Don't Test Our Patience

Juru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri Rusia Maria Zakharova. (Wikimedia Commons/DIP Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation photographer Nikita Kochuk)

JAKARTA - Russia has firmly warned the West there would be a tough military response to any attack on Russian soil, accusing the United States and its European allies of inciting Ukraine to attack Russia.

Two months since Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia in recent days reported a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces on its territory bordering Ukraine, warning such attacks risked a significant escalation.

Ukraine has not directly accepted responsibility, but said the incident was retaliation. Meanwhile, Russia has been offended by statements from NATO member Britain who said it was legal for Ukraine to target Russian logistics. Read more

"In the West, they openly call on Kyiv to attack Russia, including with the use of weapons received from NATO countries," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.

"I'm not suggesting that you test our patience any further," he insisted.

Earlier, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that if such attacks continued, Moscow would target decision-making centers in Ukraine, including those the Western Adviser said was helping Kyiv.

"Kyiv and Western capitals should take statements from the Ministry of Defense seriously, further incitement from Ukraine to attack Russian territory will definitely result in a strong response from Russia," Zakharova said.

Furthermore, Zakharova called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a puppet of the West, which the United States used to threaten Russia.

"You are being used," said Zakharova.

The United States has ruled out sending its own or NATO troops to Ukraine. However, Washington and its European allies have supplied Kyiv with weapons such as drones, Howitzer heavy artillery, Stinger anti-aircraft and Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said such a large arms shipment was part of a broader plan by the United States and its allies to destroy Russia. He promised it would never work.

Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands, displaced millions and raised fears of the most serious confrontation between Russia and the United States since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.