Putin warns of retaliation as Ukraine uses Western arms

Vladimir Putin, who spoke with foreign media on Wednesday, stated that since Ukraine uses Western weapons for attacks on Russian territory, the Kremlin may take "asymmetric" action and supply similar weapons to countries that attack Western nations.

Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the informational war conducted by the Russian Federation.

Putin's press conference was held on the sidelines of the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. The dictator told foreign journalists that Germany's decision to allow the weapons they supply to be used for attacks on Russian territory is a "dangerous step," and Moscow reserves the right to "act in the same way."

Germany's new position on the use of German weapons "would mark their direct involvement in the war against the Russian Federation, and we reserve the right to act the same way," said Putin.

The Ukrainian army cannot use long-range Western weapons against Russia alone. Putin said that the decisions are made by the countries that provide them. According to Putin, such actions by Western countries will "ultimately destroy international relations and undermine international security."

As reported by the media, Putin said that Russia "will think" about attacks on "sensitive facilities" in Western countries in response to the attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on its territory.

Using Western weapons to attack Russian territories requires the involvement of the respective countries' military personnel in operating the equipment, controlling it, and designating targets. Thus, Russia may take retaliatory steps, such as supplying similar weapons to other parties to attack selected countries, stated the dictator, after which he added, "We will think about it," reports the Associated Press.

The agency recalls that earlier on Wednesday, citing an American senator and an official from a Western country, it reported that in recent days, Ukraine has already used American weapons to strike Russian territory because the United States had given its approval.

The weapons used were by guidelines recently approved by President Joe Biden, allowing American weapons to be used for strikes inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.