Russia has marked the fourth anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine by accusing the United Kingdom and France of plotting to provide Kyiv with nuclear capabilities.
In a public statement, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged that London and Paris were considering supplying Ukraine with what it described as a “wunderwaffe” — a powerful weapon that could shift the balance of the war. The agency claimed Ukraine could secure stronger negotiating terms if it possessed a nuclear weapon or at least a so-called “dirty bomb.”
The SVR further claimed that Germany had declined to participate in the alleged plan, describing it as a “dangerous adventure,” and suggested the proposal reflected Western frustration over the battlefield situation.
The UK government firmly rejected the accusation. A spokesperson for Downing Street said there was “no truth” to the claims, calling them “a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract” from Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The spokesperson pointed to Britain’s continued military, humanitarian and reconstruction support for Kyiv as evidence of its position.
France also dismissed the allegations. In a post on X, the French Foreign Ministry criticised Moscow’s claims, referencing the prolonged nature of the war and suggesting Russia was attempting to deflect attention.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that if such a transfer were to occur, it would amount to a “joint attack” on Russia and called for investigations. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev escalated the rhetoric further, stating that such a move could force Moscow to consider nuclear action not only against Ukraine but also against any supplying country.
Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, inherited nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union but relinquished them in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum in exchange for security assurances from the UK, US and Russia. Zelensky has previously questioned the wisdom of that decision in light of Russia’s invasion, though he has stated that NATO membership would be his preferred long-term security guarantee over nuclear weapons.
Throughout the conflict, Russian officials have repeatedly referenced potential nuclear use. Ukrainian authorities have consistently dismissed such statements as intimidation and political pressure amid the ongoing war.
