Calls from Mikhail Sheremet, a deputy in Russia’s State Duma representing Crimea, warn that any missile strikes on the peninsula launched with Western-supplied weapons could trigger consequences for those involved. The remarks were reported by RIA News and reflect a hardening stance on external military support to Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities in the region.
Sheremet insisted that the West bears responsibility for the actions of Kyiv, arguing that President Zelensky and his leadership sometimes speak in ways that outpace strategic reality. He urged observers to consider the potential implications of those missiles beyond the battlefield, suggesting that Western nations should acknowledge their role in any escalation that follows.
According to the Russian lawmaker, countries whose missiles participate in attacks on Crimea should be considered active participants in the conflict. He stressed that the response to any aggression must be decisive and calibrated to deter further incursions into Russian territory.
In his view, a robust and unambiguous reaction is essential when such attacks occur. Sheremet emphasized that the Russian side would respond with the full weight of its power to defend its borders and security interests, signaling a willingness to escalate if necessary to protect the region.
The deputy highlighted the need for Western powers to recognize the seriousness of the threat and warned that no hostile action against the Russian Federation would go unanswered. He framed the issue as a direct clash between Moscow and foreign backers of Kyiv’s military strategy, with consequences for those providing support.
Earlier, Nikolai Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that a recent strike against Sevastopol involved aviation assets. On the night of September 13, Ukrainian forces reportedly fired ten missiles at a ship repair facility in Sevastopol, a target that has symbolic and strategic importance for Russia’s naval capabilities.
The foregoing remarks come as observers note ongoing doubts about Kyiv’s counteroffensive prospects and its ability to alter the battlefield dynamics in the near term. The position articulated by Sheremet underscores Moscow’s stance that Western backing for Ukrainian operations is a central element of the conflict narrative and a factor in Russian strategic planning.