Russia threatened on Tuesday to strike Ukrainian “decision-making centers” in the event of bombing by Western weapons on Russian territory or in annexed Crimea, while Moscow accused Kyiv of preparing such attacks, AFP reports.

“According to our information, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine plans to strike the territory of Russia, including Crimea, with (US) Khimar and (UK) “Storm Shadows” missiles,” Russian Defense Minister Serhiy Shoigu said.

“The use of these missiles outside the zone (of hostilities) would mean the full involvement of the United States and Great Britain in the conflict and would lead to immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine,” he added.

He did not specify whether the threats refer to military command centers, which Moscow has already announced strikes on, or to political decision-making centers in Kyiv.

Since the beginning of the military campaign against Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has repeatedly warned about the escalation of the conflict in the event of direct strikes on its territory. Russia considers Crimea a part of its territory since the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014.

Drone attacks and cross-border incursions by armed men have become more frequent in Russia in recent months. Kyiv did not take responsibility for any of them.

Soigu’s warning comes as Kyiv is leading a counteroffensive on several fronts, and many analysts say Ukraine is still testing Russia’s defenses before throwing the bulk of its forces into battle.

On Tuesday, Russia’s defense minister said Russian forces had repelled all “263 attacks” launched by the Ukrainian military since June 4, a claim that cannot be independently verified.

The forces in Kyiv “use a large number of Western elite weapons and units whose members have been trained by NATO specialists,” Soigu assured.

For its part, Ukraine claims that it has recaptured eight cities since the beginning of the counteroffensive in early June.