Kremlin Warns US After Ukrainian Strike with a US Missile on Crimea Kills Four People

The Kremlin issued a stern warning to the United States on Monday following a Ukrainian missile strike on Crimea that resulted in the deaths of four people. 

Moscow claims that the strike, which utilized a US-supplied missile, is an example of Western involvement in the ongoing conflict, which has now spanned two years.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the strike on Sevastopol as "barbaric," accusing Washington of being directly responsible for the deaths, including those of two minors. 

Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev confirmed the fatalities on Telegram, highlighting the civilian toll of the conflict.

Peskov reiterated President Vladimir Putin's earlier remarks regarding the arming of countries to potentially strike Western targets, suggesting that the US involvement in the conflict, which has resulted in Russian civilian casualties, will have consequences. 

He stated, "The involvement of the United States, the direct involvement, as a result of which Russian civilians are killed, cannot be without consequences. Time will tell what these will be."

The Russian foreign ministry summoned US envoy Lynne Tracy, emphasizing that Washington shares equal responsibility with Kyiv for the attack and warning that the strike would "not go unpunished." 

This escalates the rhetoric surrounding the provision of Western weapons to Ukraine, which Moscow views as direct participation in the conflict.

In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder stated that the Ukrainians "make their own decisions" regarding the use of supplied weaponry. 

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller placed the blame squarely on Russia for the ongoing conflict, reiterating that Crimea, unilaterally annexed by Moscow in 2014, remains part of Ukraine. 

Miller expressed regret for any civilian loss of life but defended the US's provision of weapons to Ukraine as necessary for the defense of its sovereign territory, including Crimea.

Miller also dismissed Moscow's accusations, pointing out that Russia often makes hyperbolic claims about responsibility that are not supported by facts. 

He referenced a prior incident in March when Russia initially blamed the US for a deadly raid on a Moscow concert hall, which was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

According to Russian reports, the strike on Sunday was executed using a US-supplied ATACMS missile loaded with a cluster warhead. 

Local officials reported that the missile struck an area of Sevastopol known for its sandy beaches and hotels. 

Russian authorities said 82 people, including 27 children, were hospitalized with injuries from the attack, with 14 in serious condition.

The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and the high stakes of the conflict. 

At a recent meeting with international news agencies, including AFP, President Putin criticized the West's delivery of long-range weapons to Ukraine and hinted at the possibility of arming regions that could target Western countries in response. 

He suggested that Russia's response could be asymmetric, indicating potential escalations.

Peskov reinforced Putin's comments, stating that Western countries are providing target data for Ukrainian strikes. 

This narrative further complicates the geopolitical dynamics of the conflict, with each side accusing the other of direct involvement and escalation.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, maintain that Crimea is a legitimate military target. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, declared, "Crimea is Ukraine," insisting that Russian military presence on the peninsula must end. 

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to the Ukrainian president, supported this stance, describing Crimea as a significant military camp and warehouse with numerous military targets.

The ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022, continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians. 

Ukraine reports that 551 children have been killed and 1,396 injured since the start of Russia's campaign. 

The latest strike on Crimea and the subsequent diplomatic fallout highlight the severe and enduring nature of this conflict, as well as the complex international implications of military support and involvement.