US, UK spy chiefs praise Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, say West shouldn’t fear Russia’s nuclear threats
CIA Director Burns and MI6 Chief Moore commend Ukraine's "audacious" incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast and stress the importance of sustained Western support. Burns says there was a "genuine risk" of Russia using tactical nukes in fall 2022.
Speaking at a joint public event in London on 7 September, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore discussed the implications of Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russian territory. US and UK intelligence chiefs have praised Ukraine’s recent offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, describing it as a “significant tactical achievement” that has exposed Russian vulnerabilities.
According to AP, speaking alongside Burns, Moore stated that the offensive was “typically audacious and bold on the part of the Ukrainians, to try and change the game.” He added that it had “brought the war home to ordinary Russians.”
Burns said the incursion was a “significant tactical achievement” that had revealed vulnerabilities in the Russian military.
Russia’s nuclear threats not to be feared
Burns also disclosed that late 2022 saw a serious risk of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
“None of us should take lightly the risks of [Russia’s nuclear] escalation,” Burns said at a Financial Times event, according to NBC News. “There was a moment in the fall of 2022 when I think there was a genuine risk of […] the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons.”
CIA chief Burns said that at the end of 2022, President Biden had sent him to speak with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Naryshkin, to clearly communicate the consequences of such escalation, according to Daily Mail. He visited Moscow in November 2022.
Despite this risk, both Burns and Moore urged Western allies not to be intimidated by Russian threats of escalation.
“I don’t think we can afford to be intimidated by that saber-rattling or bullying, but we’ve got to be mindful of it,” Burns added.
Moore said,
“Nobody in the West is going to be intimidated by such talk or any other behavior by the Russian state, because we all recognize we’ve got to stay in this and we have to try and help the Ukrainians to restore their independence and sovereignty.”
According to AP, both Burns and Moore emphasized the need for continued Western support for Ukraine, stating that “staying the course” in backing Ukraine’s fight against Russia was more important than ever. They warned that the world order was “under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War.”
Russian sabotage in Europe
Burns and Moore highlighted the importance of the trans-Atlantic relationship in facing “an unprecedented array of threats,” including Russia’s “reckless campaign of sabotage” across Europe.
Moore described the Russian intelligence service as having “gone a bit feral,” acting in an increasingly desperate and reckless manner.
The intelligence chiefs’ remarks came ahead of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, where Ukraine and other global issues are expected to be discussed.
Related:
- CIA Director warns Ukraine can lose war in 2024 without US aid
- MI6 Chief to Russians: spy for UK to end Ukraine war
- CIA chief made secret visit to Ukraine, US official confirms to AFP (2023)
- CIA hopes to recruit Russian spies through channel on Telegram
- Richard Moore, the head of MI6: Russia’s ability to spy in Europe cut in half since invasion of Ukraine – CNN (2022)
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