Biden insists Russia nuke threat is ‘real’ as Ukraine counter breaks through

Ukraine: John Bolton says Putin’s Russia ‘beyond the pale’

Ukraine is making significant progress in its major counteroffensive against Russian troops, while President Biden has issued a warning about Vladimir Putin’s potential actions.

On June 19, Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensive operations in multiple crucial areas along the frontline, resulting in substantial gains, as stated by the Institute for the Study of War.

The counter-offensive consisted of a series of attacks that successfully penetrated areas northwest, northeast, and southwest of Bakhmut.

Kyiv’s forces have also made notable advancements near Krasnopolivka, approximately 12km northeast of Bakhmut.

Hanna Malyar, the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, also announced significant progress by troops in the Tavrisk region of Zaporizhzhia.

They have managed to advance up to four miles and liberate an extensive territory measuring 43 square miles.

This includes the liberation of eight settlements in western Donetsk and western Zaporizhzhia oblasts, marking a significant breakthrough as Ukraine continues to resist the Russian onslaught.

But as Russia’s bloody attempted invasion of its neighbour draws close to its 500-day mark, US President Joe Biden has reiterated that the threat of a nuclear escalation remains “real”.

Speaking in California, he said: “When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado River drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy.

“They looked at me like when I said I worry about Putin using tactical nuclear weapons. It’s real.”

His comments came as Putin announced Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to its ally and neighbour Belarus last week.

Don’t miss…
Putin ‘just months from rounding up failing Kremlin officials for firing squads[LATEST]
Zelensky branded the ‘new Churchill’ by former Putin foe as he praises resolve[INSIGHT]
Russia awards troops £1,000 bonuses for every Western tank they destroy[REPORT]

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko confirmed his country started receiving deliveries of Russian tactical nuclear weapons.

He asserted that some of these weapons can cause destruction three times greater than the atomic bombs dropped by America on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945.

This is the first time nuclear weapons have been moved outside Russian territory since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Biden blasted said the transfer of such dangerous weapons as “absolutely irresponsible”.

Washington has been clear that despite Russia’s plans it does not intend to change stance on strategic nuclear weapons.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

While there is still a “real threat”, the White House says has not seen any signs that Russia has plans to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We don’t see any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon.”

Throughout its invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons to achieve its aims.

Shortly after the invasion was launched on February 22, 2022, Putin warned his vast nuclear arsenal was on standby and would be used if necessary.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, and close Putin ally, Maria Zakharova reiterated last week that the Kremlin is still prepared to use nuclear weapons.

She said during a press briefing: “Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy is strictly defensive. The hypothetical use of nuclear weapons is clearly limited by extraordinary circumstances within the framework of strictly defensive purposes.”

Source: Read Full Article