US Intelligence Agents Worry About Russia’s Potentially Deadly Counterattack – NYT : Analysis

US intelligence agencies have cautioned that Moscow might retaliate against Kiev’s Western supporters if Ukraine is allowed to employ long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. The New York Times reported the intelligence assessment, suggesting that even if Ukraine uses Western-supplied missiles, it is unlikely to substantially impact the conflict due to limited numbers. Additionally, Russia could relocate vital functions out of range, hindering Kiev’s military objectives. Any decision to allow this could lead to potential attacks on US military assets globally. Russia’s potential responses may include acts of sabotage and arson targeting European facilities or lethal attacks on US and European military bases, likely carried out covertly to avoid escalation. Ukraine’s use of American, British, and French long-range missile systems has drawn concern as tensions escalate between Moscow and Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that greater US and NATO involvement could trigger open war against Moscow. Proposed updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine would consider aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state with support from a nuclear state as a joint attack, potentially crossing the nuclear threshold. Ukrainian President Zelensky presented a “victory plan” to US leaders, seeking support for expanded missile use, while Britain and France are willing to permit it with US approval.

Analysis:
The article discusses the US intelligence agencies warning about potential Russian retaliation against Ukraine’s Western supporters if Ukraine is allowed to employ long-range missiles against Russia. The New York Times reported this intelligence assessment, stating that even if Ukraine acquires these missiles, the impact on the conflict may be limited due to their limited numbers. The potential threats outlined include Russia relocating critical functions out of range, inhibiting Ukraine’s military objectives, and the risk of potential attacks on US military assets globally if the initiative goes ahead.

The presentation of these claims raises several considerations. Firstly, the credibility of The New York Times as a reputable source is key in assessing the reliability of the information presented. The potential biases can be associated with the timing and the tone of the article, as media coverage can be influenced by factors such as political agendas or alliances.

The article points to the escalating tensions between Moscow and Kiev, with Russian President Putin warning of a possible open war if the US and NATO increase their involvement. The proposed updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine raise concerns about the potential for a conflict reaching the nuclear threshold. Ukrainian President Zelensky seeks support for expanded missile use from US leaders, with Britain and France considering permitting it with US approval.

Given the political landscape and the prevalence of fake news, the public’s perception of this information can be swayed. It is crucial to critically analyze the sources, motivations, and potential biases in these reports to develop a nuanced understanding of the situation. The implications of such developments could not only escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine but also have broader implications for global security, including the US and European military presence.

Source: RT news: US spies fear ‘lethal retaliation’ from Russia – NYT