Russia’s Medvedev Warns of Turning Kyiv into ‘Giant Melted Spot’

Moscow escalated tensions on Saturday with a stark warning about the potential use of nuclear weapons if Ukraine's allies permit the use of Western long-range missiles to strike targets deep within Russian territory. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, suggested that Kyiv could be reduced to a "giant melted spot" if such permission is granted.

Medvedev, known for his provocative statements, claimed that the Kremlin already has "formal" grounds to use nuclear weapons following Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. However, he hinted that Russia might use newer technologies to target Kyiv directly instead. “Moscow has been showing patience,” Medvedev said in a Telegram post. “However, the pompous Anglo-Saxon imbeciles do not want to admit one thing: any patience comes to an end.”

Despite his harsh rhetoric, Medvedev acknowledged that a nuclear conflict is something "no one really wants," noting that the decision to use such weapons would have "irreversible consequences."

Here is what you need to know

The threat comes as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the possibility of allowing Ukraine to use British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles on Russian soil during a meeting in Washington on Friday. No decision was announced at the meeting, but discussions are expected to continue, possibly at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly later this month.

In response to these discussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his country's request for expanded use of Western weapons. “We are making progress on the battlefield. But we need permission to use long-range weapons,” Zelenskyy said. “I hope that the U.S. political community understands this clearly and that the relevant decision will be made.”

Following his meeting with Biden, Starmer stated that no final decision had been made regarding the Storm Shadow missiles but suggested that further developments might be announced soon.