Kremlin Threatens "Giant Melted Spot" in Kyiv if Long-Range Missile Use Authorized

As Ukraine's allies deliberate on authorizing the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to target military sites in Russia, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has issued a stark threat, warning that the Kremlin could reduce Kyiv to a "giant melted spot" if given the green light. Medvedev's comments come as the US appears uncertain on whether to cross a perceived Kremlin red line, with the UK reportedly in support of lifting the restriction on using these missiles. Ukraine, meanwhile, has renewed its call for the West to permit the use of long-range weapons, which it believes is crucial to winning the war.

Key Takeaways:

• Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has threatened that the Kremlin could reduce Kyiv to a "giant melted spot" if Ukraine's allies authorize the use of long-range missiles to target military sites in Russia.
• Medvedev's comments were made on the Telegram messenger app and included expletive language, characteristic of his style.
• The use of long-range missiles is reportedly contingent on the US, with Washington hesitant to make a decision, despite the UK's apparent support for lifting the restriction.
• Ukraine has asked its allies to permit the use of long-range missiles, which it believes is essential to winning the war against Russia.
• The US and UK failed to produce a visible shift in their policy on using long-range missiles in a meeting between the two leaders earlier this week.
• Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war on Saturday, with each side releasing 103 people, in a move mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Statistics:

• 206 prisoners of war were exchanged between Russia and Ukraine on Saturday, with the United Arab Emirates mediating the exchange.
• The prisoner exchange was the eighth such mediation by the UAE since the start of the conflict.