The Russian deputy foreign minister has claimed that one of the country’s nuclear test sites is on “alert”, blaming Western provocation for the move.
According to Russian news agency Interfax, Sergei Ryabkov said that the Novaya Zemlya test site in the northeast of the country was put on alert “reaction to the actions of the West”.
Posting on Telegram, Interfax reported Ryabkov’s message. The post on the social media platform said: “Ryabkov: the infrastructure at the test site on Novaya Zemlya has been put on alert, this is a reaction to the actions of the West.
“Russia’s position on nuclear tests is unchanged; they will not be carried out if Western countries do not take such steps.”
The warning comes as Western leaders have been mulling over whether to permit Volodymyr Zelensky to launch long-range missiles into Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that if permission is granted to Ukraine to fire deep into Russia by a NATO member, then that constitutes an act of war.
Foreign secretary David Lammy has urged the US to show “nerve”, as debate in Washington continues over whether to permit Kyiv to use the Storm Shadow missiles donated by the UK.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said the government’s position on whether to allow Zelensky to fire on Russia “remains unchanged”.
“When it comes to that [Storm Shadow], our position remains unchanged. I think as the PM said following his trip to Washington just last week, our ongoing discussions on Ukraine are not about one specific bit of military equipment.
“They are broader discussions about strategy and about how we support Ukraine during what is a crucial period over the next few months and as we enter winter.”
