Russia has threatened Ukraine with severe retaliation. Russian officials warned of escalating the war if Ukraine uses long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. They also threatened to destroy Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his victory plan depends on U.S. approval for these missile strikes. He believes destroying Russian military facilities will stop their attacks. Ukraine argues that these strikes are key to defending against Moscow, but Western allies have hesitated. They fear the strikes could escalate the war.
Russia claims the decision to allow these strikes has already been made. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is prepared to respond. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president, warned that Ukraine’s actions justify the use of nuclear weapons. He also hinted at using powerful non-nuclear weapons to target Kyiv.
Yermak dismissed the threats. He said Putin’s fear of losing control is driving these statements.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine swapped 206 prisoners on Saturday. President Zelenskiy confirmed that 103 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. Russia also received 103 of its soldiers captured during Ukraine’s August incursion. The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange, marking their eighth mediation in 2024.
Ukraine and Russia have regularly exchanged prisoners since the war began in 2022. Courtesy of dh/rc (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)
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