Moscow has intensified its criticism of Washington and Kyiv’s Western allies, accusing them of supplying weapons used against Russian targets in the ongoing two-year conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov labeled Sunday’s strike on Sevastopol as “barbaric” and directly blamed Washington, accusing it of being responsible for “killing Russian children.”

According to Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev, two minors were among the victims of the strike, as reported on Telegram.

Peskov referenced President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments where he discussed the arming of countries that could potentially target Western interests. These statements reflect Moscow’s escalating rhetoric against perceived external threats and its portrayal of Western actions as provocations in the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov delivered strong statements on Monday, emphasizing that the United States’ direct involvement in actions leading to the deaths of Russian civilians would not go unanswered. He hinted at unspecified consequences in the future, stating, “Time will tell what these will be.”

Peskov also urged European counterparts and Washington’s press secretaries to address why their government is allegedly involved in killing Russian children. These remarks underscored Moscow’s accusatory stance towards the US and its allies in the ongoing conflict.

Following the incident, Russia’s foreign ministry summoned US envoy Lynne Tracy and issued a statement holding Washington equally responsible with Kyiv for what it termed an atrocity. The ministry asserted that the strike on Sevastopol would not be overlooked and indicated that there would be consequences for those involved.

The recent strike on Sunday in Sevastopol, according to Russia, involved a US-supplied ATACMS missile equipped with a cluster warhead. Officials installed by Moscow in the region reported that the missile struck an area of the port city known for sandy beaches and hotels. The aftermath of the strike resulted in 82 people being hospitalized, including 27 children, with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko noting that 14 of the injured were in serious condition, as reported by TASS news agency on Monday.

In recent statements, President Vladimir Putin criticized Western nations for supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons, suggesting that Russia might respond asymmetrically by arming regions capable of targeting sensitive facilities in those Western countries. Putin hinted at potential retaliatory measures, emphasizing a strategic approach in response to perceived provocations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed Putin’s remarks, citing allegations that Western countries were providing target data to Ukrainian forces. These developments underscore heightened tensions stemming from the conflict, exacerbated by geopolitical maneuvers and military actions in the region.

Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, reiterated Ukraine’s stance that Crimea belongs to Ukraine and called for Russia to withdraw its military presence from the peninsula, including dismantling military installations.

The situation remains fluid and contentious, with both sides asserting conflicting territorial claims and engaging in rhetoric reflecting deep-seated geopolitical divisions.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated significantly, with ongoing deadly strikes reported by Ukraine since Russia launched its campaign in February 2022. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asserted that Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, contains numerous military targets, including camps and warehouses. He accused Russia of using civilian infrastructure as cover for military activities.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the toll on civilians, especially children, has been severe. They reported that 551 children have been killed and 1,396 injured since the beginning of the assault. These figures highlight the human cost of the conflict and underscore the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The situation remains volatile, with both sides engaged in military operations amid international efforts to broker peace and provide humanitarian assistance to affected populations.

There have been rumblings in the Intel Community that rather than directly attacking the United States, Russia could attempt to engage via proxy by using a technique such as arming Mexican drug cartels.