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Ukraine attacked Crimea with Western ATACMS missiles. As a result, Russia is threatening Ukraine and fears further attacks.
Kiev/Moscow – The weapons supplied by the USA are having an effect. In recent days, Ukraine has fired ATACMS missiles at the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula. According to Ukrainian information Dozens of Russian soldiers died. Russia threatens consequences if Ukraine attacks targets in Crimea. An expert does not rule out a nuclear strike.
Ukraine attacks Crimea: Expert on possible Russian response
With the use of ATACMS missiles, Ukraine managed to carry out attacks on Crimea. In contrast to previous weapons deliveries, which also included ATACMS missiles with a range of 160 kilometers, the current missiles no longer appear to have a range limitation. “Obviously the reach is greater now. This can destroy a lot,” says Gerhard Mangott, professor of political science at the University of Innsbruck, in an interview ntv.
Crimea and its bridges are for Russia logistically very important. “Hiting Russian supply lines here, weapons depots, fuel depots, command centers – that then weakens the Russian army on the front line, where Ukraine is currently on the defensive,” continued Mangott.
Russia threatens “retaliation” – fear of further attacks
Russia had warned of a “devastating retaliatory strike” if the Ukraine attack Crimea or the Crimean Bridge with the support of the West. In addition, the spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Maria Sakharov, suspected that Ukraine was planning a major attack on Crimea before or on May 9th. On this day, Russia celebrates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Moscow is also planning to mark this occasion Exhibition of military equipment from the Westthat they have during the Ukraine war have captured.
Expert: Use of Russian nuclear weapons – Russia’s “red line”
According to Mangott, one needs to think about what a further escalation in the war and thus a retaliatory strike could look like. “There will be no area bombings because the cities in Ukraine – at least the capital Kiev – are very well protected,” explains the political scientist. “Of course it is always open – but you have to be careful what emotions you arouse with it – a resort to tactical nuclear weapons. “That could happen,” Mangott speculates.
A devastating counterstrike could be a demonstrative test or detonation of such a nuclear weapon. “Not now in the sense of the destructive effect, but to make it clear how far Ukraine and the West can go and what the red line is that Russia no longer accepts. That would just destroy the bridge over the Kerch Strait,” explains Mangott. The 19 kilometer long bridge connects mainland Russia with Crimea. (vk)
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