“Nuclear war is unwinnable and should never be waged. And we firmly adhere to this statement “Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin told.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom asserts Britain was involved in an attack on Russian warships and warns the country is “too involved” in the Ukraine conflict.
Top diplomat Andrei Kelin claimed that he had evidence that British special forces were involved in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea fleet in Crimea and that he had given this ‘evidence’ to the British ambassador.
When pressed for evidence of Russia’s assertions, Mr. Kelin stated: “We are fully aware that British professionals participated in the training, planning, and implementation of attacks against Russian infrastructure and the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. We are aware that it was completed.”
Pressed to provide evidence to the public about Moscow’s claim that the attack on the Russian fleet in the Black Sea was led by British Navy personnel, Mr. Kelin stated that it had been sent to the British ambassador and that “it will become public quite soon,” possibly today or tomorrow.
He added: “It is risky because it exacerbates the issue. It can bring us to the point of no return, although a return is always possible. Nevertheless, we must prevent escalation.
“This is a signal that Britain’s involvement in this fight is excessive. It indicates that the situation is becoming increasingly perilous.”
Claims intended to detract from military shortcomings, according to the UK
Such accusations, according to the British government, are misleading and intended to detract from Russia’s military failures in Ukraine.
A spokesperson said: “In recent days, Russia has made a variety of allegations against the United Kingdom, which are intended to divert attention away from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; Russia’s battlefield losses; and Russia’s bombing of civilian populations and energy infrastructure without regard for international law and the loss of innocent life.
“We have no intention of providing a running commentary on these charges; it is no secret that the United Kingdom has taken a public leadership role in our support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal takeover of Crimea in 2014.”
Moscow has portrayed Britain as Russia’s most treacherous Western adversary. President Vladimir Putin has stated that the United Kingdom is conspiring to destroy Russia and seize its rich natural resources.
Ambassador rejects Russian nuclear weapon use
Mr. Kelin denied that Russia would utilize nuclear weapons in Ukraine after Russia accused the West of “encouraging provocations with weapons of mass devastation.”
Mr. Kelin said: “Nuclear war is unwinnable and should never be waged. And we firmly adhere to this position.”
Mr. Kelin said when asked if Moscow could employ a tactical nuclear bomb in the conflict: “No. The international community may rest assured that Russia would not employ tactical nuclear weapons in the Ukrainian war.”
Since invading Ukraine, Moscow has increased its nuclear rhetoric, most notably accusing Kiev of plotting to launch a “dirty bomb” without providing evidence. Kiev has denied having any such intentions.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern that the five declared nuclear states were “on the verge of a direct armed war.”
It said, “We are firmly convinced that in the current complex and tumultuous scenario, produced by reckless and impudent acts aimed at compromising our national security, the most urgent duty is to prevent any military confrontation between nuclear powers.”
