JUST IN: Dmitry Medvedev’s latest nuke threat: ‘We would be forced to use a nuclear weapon” if Ukrainian offensive is successful
Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, a body chaired by President Vladimir Putin, said in a message on his official social media accounts that Russia would be forced to fall back on its own nuclear doctrine in such a scenario.
“Imagine if the.. offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off a part of our land then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia,” he continued.
“There would simply be no other option. So our enemies should pray for our warriors’ (success). They are making sure that a global nuclear fire is not ignited,” he added.
Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 522: Zelensky says war is “gradually” being pushed back to Russian territory after Moscow drone attack
Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:
Zelensky says ‘war’ coming to Russia after Moscow drone attack
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has warned that “war” is coming to Russia after three Ukrainian drones were downed over Moscow.
“Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia – to its symbolic centres and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process,” Zelensky said on a visit to the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk.
“Ukraine is getting stronger,” he added.
Zelensky expects Russia to resume attacks on Ukraine’s power grid
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he expects Russia to resume its attacks on Ukraine’s energy system once cold weather returns later this year.
“It is obvious that this autumn and … in the winter the enemy will try to repeat the terror against the Ukrainian energy industry. We should be ready for this in any case,” Zelensky told senior government, security, and regional officials.
“At the government and security level, we will do everything possible,” he added.
Nearly 40 percent of the Ukrainian energy system was damaged in Russian missile and drone attacks over the past winter, which plunged Ukrainian cities into darkness and cold in what Kyiv called a deliberate strategy to harm civilians. Moscow says it launched the attacks to reduce Ukraine’s ability to fight.
‘We would be forced to use a nuclear weapon” if Ukrainian offensive a success: Russia
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has stated that Moscow would have to use a nuclear weapon if Kyiv’s ongoing counter-offensive succeeded.
Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, a body chaired by President Vladimir Putin, said in a message on his official social media accounts that Russia would be forced to fall back on its own nuclear doctrine in such a scenario.
“Imagine if the.. offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off a part of our land then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia,” he continued.
“There would simply be no other option. So our enemies should pray for our warriors’ (success). They are making sure that a global nuclear fire is not ignited,” he added.
Medvedev appeared to be referring to part of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which sets out that nuclear weapons can be used in response to aggression against Russia carried out using conventional weapons, which threatens the existence of the Russian state.
Pope Francis calls on Russia to restore Black Sea grain deal
Pope Francis has called on Russia to revive the Black Sea grain deal, through which Moscow had allowed Ukraine to export grain from its seaports despite the war.
During his Angelus message on Sunday, he stated, “I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, so that the Black Sea initiative may be resumed and grain may be transported safely.”
Energy minister says confident Ukraine will keep lights on this winter
Ukrainians should be able to power their homes this winter after the widespread blackouts last year caused by Russian attacks.
Asked in a televised interview whether the country would be able to meet its goal of providing 1.7 gigawatts of generation capacity by the heating season, Ukraine’s energy minister German Galushchenko said, “We will manage to do it.”
He stated he could not give details now but that the country was adding power in ways it had never done before.
“I am very confident that the symbiosis of all actions will lead to the fact that we will be able to reliably ensure supplies during the heating season,” the minister added.
Missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure following Russia’s full-scale invasion last year caused sweeping blackouts and water outages for millions of Ukrainians during the winter.
General Staff: Russia has lost 245,700 troops in Ukraine
According to the report, as of 9am (EET) on 30 July, Russia has also lost 4,205 tanks, 8,178 armored fighting vehicles, 7,275 vehicles and fuel tanks, 4,795 artillery systems, 698 multiple launch rocket systems, 459 air defence systems, 315 airplanes, 311 helicopters, 4,011 drones, and 18 boats.
The Kyiv Independent has pulled together the figures:
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of July 30, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/FPOMQmQiqZ
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 30, 2023
Putin says Russian navy will get 30 new ships this year
President Vladimir Putin said the Russian navy will get 30 new ships this year, Reuters reported on Sunday.
Putin made the announcement at a ceremony in St Petersburg to mark Russia’s annual Navy Day after reviewing a parade of warships on the Neva river.
He praised Russia’s navy in an address at the annual warship parade, which he attended accompanied by several African leaders.
Without mentioning Ukraine in his speech, Putin hailed “the brave crews of ships and submarines”.
He added: “In the name of Russia, our sailors give all their strength, show true heroism and fight valiantly, like our great ancestors.”
“Today, Russia is confidently implementing major elements of its national maritime policy and is consistently building up the power of its navy,” he continued.
Forty-five ships, boats and submarines took part in the parade along with around 3,000 servicemen, the Kremlin announced.
