Russia has threatened to use long-range missiles on Ukraine’s Capitol, Kyiv if the Ukrainians make attacks on Russia.
Putin seems to be particularly concerned with Ukrainians conducting strikes on Russian supply lines on the other side of the border. The Kremlin says if the country engages in these activities, Russia will respond with “long-range smart weapons”.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the following: “We would like to stress that London’s direct instigation of the regime in Kyiv to commit such actions, should these attempts materialize, will instantly entail our proportionate response – As we have warned, the Russian armed forces are ready round the clock to carry out retaliatory strikes with long-range smart weapons against decision-making centers in Kyiv.”
Russians also made clear that if they happen to hit Western officials residing in Kyiv at the time of an attack, they do not care.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin were just in Kyiv meeting with the Ukrainian President just days before Russia made clear that they have no qualms with killing western cabinet members.
BBC defended Ukraine claiming that it would be “completely legitimate” to disrupt Russian communications and supply lines. This however won’t affect Russia’s decision-making when it comes to retaliation.