MOSCOW, June 1. /TASS/. The Russian military is taking all measures to minimize risks in case Ukraine gets extended-range multiple rocket launchers from the United States, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday in response to a TASS question.
"Our relevant agencies, including the Defense Ministry and border guards, understand all the risks, they are comprehensively evaluating them and taking the necessary measures," Peskov said, when asked if Moscow saw the risk that Ukraine might start attacking Russia with US-made multiple rocket launchers if provided with such weapons.
At the same time, Peskov was confident that the US was adding fuel to the fire of what was happening in Ukraine by providing weapons to Kiev. "There is nothing new in that, we believe that the US is deliberately and painstakingly pouring gasoline on the fire. The US is clearly pursuing a policy to fight Russia until the last Ukrainian," the Kremlin spokesman noted, commenting on Washington’s plans to provide multiple rocket launchers to Kiev. According to Peskov, "these sorts of supplies are unlikely to make the Ukrainian leadership willing to resume peace talks." "This is why we are certainly negative about it," the Russian presidential spokesman stressed.
A senior US administration official said earlier that Washington would announce the 11th package of military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, which would include multiple rocket launchers, namely HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems). He pointed out, however, that Ukraine had assured the US that those rocket systems would not be used against targets in Russia. The official added that the range of the rocket launchers would not exceed 80 kilometers.