Russian State TV's Nuclear Warning Directed at the US

A presenter on Russian state television and a mouthpiece for the Kremlin has raised the specter of nuclear confrontation with the United States amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, hinting at the possibility of Moscow launching a nuclear strike.

Dmitry Kiselyov, the anchor in question, delivered his ominous message during a segment aired on Russia-1, a state-owned TV channel. The broadcast snippet, shared on the platform formerly known as Twitter by journalist Francis Scarr from BBC Monitoring, featured Kiselyov's dire warnings.

In his caption accompanying the shared excerpt, Scarr noted, "Once again, Dmitry Kiselyov resorts to nuclear brinkmanship." Kiselyov's words included a chilling scenario: should NATO opt to intervene in Ukraine against Russia, nuclear retaliation targeting American decision-making hubs and launch sites, as well as potential consequences for France and even the geographic reshaping of the British Isles.

The Kremlin's mouthpieces have consistently issued threats of global conflict and nuclear reprisals by Russia against NATO territories, particularly in response to aid and armaments provided to Kyiv by the Biden administration and its NATO allies. In an attempt to gather insight into Russia's stance, Newsweek reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment via email.

Kiselyov asserted that Russia would not hesitate to retaliate if NATO members decided to deploy their forces in Ukraine, a conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Drawing from Putin's rhetoric about Russia's indispensable role in the world, Kiselyov warned of catastrophic consequences, mentioning specific missile systems like Sarmat, Yars, and Avangard that Russia would employ in such a scenario.

The notion of a potential nuclear conflict stemming from the Ukrainian crisis has been echoed by various Russian figures, including Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and prime minister.

During his annual address to the nation in Moscow on February 29, Putin underscored the readiness of Russia's strategic nuclear forces. He has consistently maintained Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons to safeguard its territorial integrity, emphasizing that this stance is not a bluff.

Kiselyov's warning extended to American targets, including both land-based and maritime decision-making centers and launch sites. He also suggested a swift disarmament of France, a nuclear power, and ominously hinted at the submergence of the British Isles, citing Russia's technological capabilities in this regard.

Despite the dire nature of his message, Kiselyov attempted to downplay it, asserting that it wasn't mere propaganda.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced unwavering support for Kyiv, expressing openness to all options, including military intervention, to ensure Europe's security and the safety of the French people.