Russia Warns NATO of Retaliation Over Ukraine

Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, has warned NATO countries that any support for Ukraine's long-range missile strikes into Russia will result in retaliation, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This statement follows the U.S. granting Ukraine permission to use ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets, which has heightened tensions reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Putin has adjusted Russia's nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear responses to conventional attacks, which some analysts interpret as a sign of escalating risk. The U.S. has closed its embassy in Kyiv, warning citizens to prepare for possible airstrikes, reflecting concerns about a direct military confrontation. Naryshkin asserted that the West's actions are pushing the boundaries of acceptable engagement and warned of dire consequences if NATO continues its support for Ukraine. The Kremlin's stance is that it is the West, not Russia, that is responsible for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.