- composition
- BBC News World
4 hours
Image copyrightGetty Images
Subtitle,
Vladimir Putin said Russia has “all the tools” to respond.
Any country trying to intervene in the war in Ukraine will face a “lightning” response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned.
“We have all the tools that no one can boast of… we will use them if necessary,” he said, in a nod to ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, explains BBC journalist Yaroslav Lukov.
Ukraine’s allies have increased arms supplies to the country, and the United States has vowed to ensure Ukraine defeats Russia.
Western officials say Russia is encountering difficulties in its campaign in eastern Ukraine.
Last week, Russia launched a major offensive to seize the Donbass region after withdrawing from areas around the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
But according to one official, “Russian forces are having a hard time overcoming strong Ukrainian resistance and are suffering casualties.”
Image copyrightGetty Images
Putin made his comments while speaking with Russian lawmakers in the northern city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
The Russian leader added that all decisions had already been made about what that response would entail, without giving further details.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, followed by President Putin a few days later ordered his army to be placed on high alertnuclear deterrent forces From Russia.
Analysts suspect that such threats are an attempt by Putin to warn Ukraine’s allies against further meddling in the conflict.
Subtitle,
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Council of Legislators at the Tauride Palace.
President Putin spoke a day after Western nations held a summit in Germany where they pledged to increase military support to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has vowed to move “heaven and earth” to ensure Ukraine wins the war.
Recently, there has been a growing number of promises to increase military support to Ukraine, including Germany’s announcement that it will send 50 anti-aircraft tanks, marking a sea change in policy.
Slow progress
Analysis by Paul Adams, diplomatic correspondent
Reporting the latest from the war, Western officials say Russia has continued to build up its forces in and around the Donbass, making small gains.
“But when they face real military targets, they find it difficult to overcome steadfast Ukrainian resistance and suffer casualties,” an official said.
Heavy rains also hamper the Russian advance. “Russians don’t like fighting in the rain,” said one official, adding that the Russians have little tactical awareness and continue to suffer from logistical difficulties.
They have the ability to operate off-road, but officials say it’s surprising they’re still choosing not to.
Even where Ukrainian forces were encircled, they managed to replenish their forces “over an amazingly long time”. (Mariúpol is the most obvious example).
Officials noted that even where Russia has been gaining ground, Ukrainian forces have shown a “remarkable” ability to fight back, sometimes so quickly that the Russians quickly find themselves at a disadvantage.
Ukrainian special forces operating behind Russian lines are exploiting the vulnerability of long supply lines to buy Ukraine time.
Now you can receive notifications from BBC World. Download and activate the new version of our app so you don’t miss our best content.