These warnings from Russia, are likely falling on deaf ears. Moscow has not followed through on any of their threats against the West, and even though the last “red line” has been crossed, the warnings are still coming.

This time, Russia has warned that the West is “playing with fire.” Through its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, senior State Duma MP Leonid Slutsky has said that Kyiv’s Western backers are becoming emboldened. And they probably are. Russia has resorted to rhetoric and warnings without ever following through with any of them. The Russian lawmaker warned that Moscow’s military has the use of advanced weaponry, such as the new ‘Oreshnik’ hypersonic missile it fired this week.

In a Telegram post on Thursday, Slutsky, who heads the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, cautioned against moves to “provoke” Russia and accused the West of pushing the world towards a new “missile crisis.”

“Given the presence of advanced weapons in the Russian Army, such as ‘Oreshnik’, it is better not to play with ‘fire’ and not even try to provoke!” Slutsky wrote.  He cited Thursday’s televised address by Russian President Vladimir Putin, writing: “Putin again warns and urges not to doubt Russia’s determination and capabilities to repel aggression.”

During his address from the Kremlin, the Russian president announced the deployment of the new ‘Oreshnik’ hypersonic missile system and criticized the United States for exacerbating tensions. Not long after the U.S. “allowed” Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range missiles, the opportunity was seized.

Kyiv Claimed Russia Fired ICBM Into Ukraine For The First Time

Putin accused Washington and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) of intentionally escalating the Ukraine conflict by supplying Kiev with long-range precision weaponry capable of striking internationally recognized Russian soil, according to a report by RT. 

The Russian leader reiterated Moscow’s openness to peace talks, but cautioned that Russia is also “ready for any developments,” and that one should not doubt that “there will always be a response.”