In a significant development, Russia has issued an official warning to the United States and NATO regarding their increasing involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense has raised concerns over the heightened activity of US strategic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Black Sea.
According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense:
"The Russian Ministry of Defense notes the increased intensity of flights of US strategic unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black Sea, which carry out reconnaissance and target designation of high-precision weapons supplied to the armed forces of Ukraine by Western states to strike Russian targets."
The Ministry emphasized that this escalation indicates deeper involvement by the United States and NATO countries in support of the Kiev regime:
"This indicates the increasing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine on the side of the Kiev regime."
The statement highlighted the risks associated with these reconnaissance flights, suggesting that they significantly raise the probability of aerial incidents involving Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft. This, in turn, could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and the Russian Federation.
"Such flights greatly increase the likelihood of incidents in the airspace with aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which increases the risk of direct confrontation between the alliance and the Russian Federation. NATO countries will be responsible for this."
In response to these provocations, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has directed the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to implement immediate countermeasures:
"The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov instructed the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to take prompt response measures to provocations."
This development underscores the growing tensions in the region and the potential for further escalation. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation, as the involvement of major global powers in the Ukraine conflict continues to deepen.
Source: Statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense and officials.