Russia dismisses UK's Nightfall missile project for Ukraine
Russia has sharply criticized Britain's initiative to develop ground-launched ballistic missiles for Ukraine, labeling it a direct threat to ongoing peace efforts. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the Nightfall project represents no step toward resolution and reiterated Moscow's stance that any Western troops in Ukraine would be regarded as legitimate military targets.
Zakharova accused the British of deliberately undermining peace processes through this missile development and related plans for Western troop deployments. Her comments came amid heightened tensions, following Russia's recent warnings against any foreign military presence in the conflict zone.
The UK's Ministry of Defence unveiled the Nightfall project on January 11, seeking rapid proposals for a tactical ballistic missile capable of delivering a 200-kilogram warhead over 500 kilometers. Designed for vehicle launches, the system allows for quick salvos followed by rapid redeployment to evade Russian counter-battery fire. Defence Secretary John Healey framed the move as a counter to Russia's escalating actions, including its use of the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile, which can carry nuclear payloads, against Ukrainian targets.
Healey highlighted recent Russian strikes on civilian areas as evidence of President Vladimir Putin's unwillingness to pursue genuine negotiations, instead intensifying his unlawful aggression. The ministry set a maximum unit cost of 800,000 pounds per missile, aiming for monthly production of 10 systems, with development contracts slated for award in March.
Zakharova's remarks echo Russia's strongest warnings yet to Western nations, issued after a January 6 joint UK-France statement in Paris about potential multinational forces under a peace deal. Moscow vowed to treat such units as combat targets. This comes alongside intensified diplomacy, including Healey's January 14 visit to Kyiv, where he discussed British contingent operations alongside French forces with President Volodymyr Zelensky if talks succeed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has consistently dismissed Western security guarantees for Ukraine, vowing retaliation against any hostile moves like European troop deployments.
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