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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned Ukraine that any use of nuclear weapons against Russia would be Kyiv’s “last mistake,” signaling a potentially catastrophic retaliation.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said if Ukraine were to deploy a so-called “dirty bomb” on Russian territory, Moscow would respond with equal force.
“This would be a colossal mistake by those we refer to as neo-Nazis operating in present-day Ukraine, perhaps their last,” Putin said.
Putin emphasized that Russia’s nuclear doctrine allows for a severe response to existential threats. “Our response would be extremely harsh, most likely catastrophic, both for the neo-Nazi regime and for Ukraine itself,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that Russia currently has no confirmed evidence that Ukraine is preparing such a weapon. “Thank God, we have no proof of such intentions. But we operate under the assumption that such an idea might arise in someone’s sick mind,” he added.
The Russian leader also announced that Moscow is establishing a “security zone” along the border with Ukraine, citing repeated cross-border attacks and a recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
According to Putin, the buffer zone could stretch between 8 and 12 kilometers (5 to 7.5 miles) into Ukrainian territory. He also suggested the possible capture of Sumy, a major city in northeastern Ukraine, though said it was not currently a military objective.
“The depth is about 10 to 12 kilometers, sometimes 8, sometimes 12. Beyond that lies the city of Sumy. Capturing it is not our task, but I don’t rule it out,” he said.
When asked how far Russia plans to advance, Putin reiterated his longstanding claim that Russians and Ukrainians are one people. “All of Ukraine is ours,” he said. “Where the foot of a Russian soldier steps – that is ours.”
The Ukrainian government did not immediately respond to Putin’s remarks.
Now in the fourth year of war, Russia has intensified ground operations in northeastern Ukraine, particularly around Kharkiv. Kremlin officials continue to frame the escalations as defensive responses to Ukrainian strikes.
Meanwhile, the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks was held June 2 in Istanbul, following initial discussions on May 16. Both sides agreed to further prisoner exchanges, prioritizing the youngest and most severely wounded, and to return the bodies of 6,000 soldiers from each side.
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