Russian TV show releases map of countries that may have missiles

A new map produced by Russian state media suggests that Russia may transfer long-range missiles to several allies after NATO countries donated them to Kiev and approved of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.

“Moscow could start supplying the same high-precision long-range missiles, but of better quality because they are Russian-made, to countries ready to strike their enemies,” Russian state media presenter Olga Skabeyeva said in remarks translated by the Russia Media Monitor project run by journalist Julia Davis.

President Joe Biden late last month authorized Ukraine to attack Russian territory using U.S.-donated weapons to repel a weeks-long Moscow offensive in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 31 during a visit to the Czech capital Prague that Ukraine had been seeking permission to use U.S.-supplied weapons against forces inside Russia for weeks after Moscow opened a new front in Kharkiv.

Several major NATO countries, including France and Germany, have indicated they would allow Ukraine to use weapons they provide to attack some targets inside Russia.

Russia has loudly condemned the move, calling it an “escalation” of the conflict.

Skaveyeva highlighted several countries on a map and suggested Moscow might send missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen and weapons to several other countries.

“We were thinking about where the missiles would land, into which friendly country’s jurisdiction,” state media presenter Yevgeny Popov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that he would “consider” sending Russian-made weapons to other countries in retaliation for Western measures.

“If they think it is possible to bring such weapons into a combat zone, attack our territory and cause us problems, then why don’t we have the right to supply some parts of the world with the same type of weapons that can be used to attack sensitive facilities of countries that attack Russia?” Putin said at Russia’s annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

“It is now time to make the United States and its allies feel the direct consequences of third-party use of Russian weapons,” Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said at the time. “Anyone who considers ‘Yankeeland’ an enemy can be targeted, regardless of their political beliefs or international recognition,” he added, in comments reported by Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.

Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has already transferred tactical nuclear weapons to its key ally, Belarus.