Kursk Region Enters Shooting Range And There Is Western Intelligence Activity, Russia Issues Strict Warning: Afraid Of US HIMARS?

JAKARTA - Russia has again warned Kyiv and the West about Moscow's firm response to the detection of increased intelligence activity in the Kursk region.

Yulia Zhdanova, a member of the Russian delegation for the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, said Russia had noted an increase in the activity of Western commercial intelligence facilities in Russia's Kursk Region.

She pointed out that, in addition to Crimea, the Kursk Region is within range of the US-made M142 HIMARS long-range rocket system, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry website.

"As far as we understand, the Kursk Region of the Russian Federation is within the range of the above-mentioned systems, and we are seeing an increase in the activity of Western commercial intelligence facilities in the area," she said at a meeting of the European Security Cooperation Forum (OSCE).

"In this regard, we once again warn Western watchdogs of Kyiv, wrong provocations can lead to further escalation of the situation. We point to the words of President Vladimir Putin, who said that 'we have not started anything seriously,' she stressed.

"We repeat, all threats to the security of our country emanating from Ukraine will be eliminated one way or another in self-defense procedures in accordance with the UN Charter," she added.

Earlier, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that the US would announce an additional aid package for Ukraine this week, which would include four HIMARS systems. In total with the promised delivery and quantity, Ukraine will have 16 HIMARS units.

"Ukraine has used (HIMARS) very effectively," said Minister Austin, noting that rockets had "made a difference on the battlefield", citing The National News.

Long-range rocket fire was seen as important as Russian and Ukrainian forces fired them in brutal artillery and missile battles across relatively open terrain in the eastern Donbas region.

In addition to providing assistance to HIMARS units, Washington has also provided training on how to operate these advanced weapons, for more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers.

"Our help makes a real difference on the pitch," said Defense Minister Austin.