Ukraine admits attacking Crimea, warns of nuclear war between Russia and the West

Kieu Anh• DNUM_AIZAJZCACC 08:03

Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has admitted that his country was behind the attacks on the Crimean Peninsula and warned that the possibility of a "limited" nuclear war between Russia and the West cannot be completely ruled out.

"There is a direct threat of the Russian armed forces using tactical nuclear weapons under certain circumstances," said Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

“In addition, the possibility of direct involvement of other states in a “limited” nuclear conflict, as well as the possibility of World War III, cannot be completely ruled out,” commented Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.

Illustration: Getty

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi also admitted for the first time that Ukraine was behind the attacks deep inside Crimea in August. The air bases and ammunition depots that were targeted were said to be out of range of Ukrainian fire, but were part of a Ukrainian strategy to shift the “center of gravity of the Russian military,” Zaluzhnyi said. He also called the attacks on Crimea “convincing evidence” of Kiev’s calls for Western countries to supply it with long-range weapons.

The comments from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine come as the Ukrainian military struggles to regain small areas in a counteroffensive in the east and south. According to the Washington Post, Ukraine is facing huge losses in troops and equipment against more modern Russian weapons and technology.

Although many areas in central and western Ukraine have not been attacked, Russian cruise missiles still pose a threat to Ukraine, Mr. Zaluzhnyi assessed, adding: "As long as this situation continues, the war could last for many years."