Above photo: Anatoly Medved / Photobank Roscongress.
Says preemptive strikes possible amid rising tensions with NATO.
US President Trump has reportedly called on Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned on 17 July that Moscow must be prepared to deliver preemptive strikes against the west if necessary.
Speaking to TASS on the 80th anniversary of the Potsdam Conference, Medvedev said, “The west’s treacherous nature and its warped sense of superiority are still evident. And we should therefore act accordingly, responding in full or even delivering preemptive strikes if need be.”
Reflecting on the historical lessons of 1945, Medvedev added that the conference – attended by the leaders of the USSR, US, and UK after their victory in World War II – revealed that relations with the west must not be based on illusions. He accused former Soviet allies of violating the decisions made at Potsdam, implying that today’s NATO-aligned nations continue to betray post-war agreements.
Medvedev’s comments follow a string of escalatory statements made by US President Donald Trump and plans to deliver new weapons to Kiev.
A Financial Times report on 15 July revealed that Trump, during a 4 July phone call, encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to strike deep into Russian territory. According to sources, Trump asked, “Can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St. Petersburg too?” Zelensky allegedly responded, “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.”
Trump announced on Monday a series of steps aimed at pressuring Moscow to end the war with Ukraine. This includes “massive” supplies of US weapons and assistance, among them Patriot air defense systems.
The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, also signaled it is analyzing US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose 100 percent secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian exports unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal within 50 days.
On the battlefield, drone attacks intensified overnight on Wednesday. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted 122 Ukrainian drones targeting its southwestern regions, with civilian casualties reported in Belgorod and Voronezh. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the deaths of four civilians and one injury.
In retaliation, Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike on Dnipro killed at least one civilian. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 41 out of 64 drones launched by Russia.
Russia and Ukraine also conducted a mutual repatriation of fallen soldiers. Moscow handed over the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian troops, while Kiev returned 19 Russian bodies under a deal brokered during peace talks in Istanbul last month.
