Ukraine war: Russia warns US of danger of direct military conflict

 Ukraine war: Russia warns US of danger of direct military conflict

The US decision to send more military aid to Ukraine "has increased the risk of a direct military conflict" between Russia and the West, Moscow has warned.

Russia's ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said it was an "immediate threat" to Moscow, describing the US as a "partner of the conflict".

Earlier, the US announced another $625m (£547m) in military aid to Ukraine.

Advanced US weapons have been credited with helping Ukraine build momentum against taking over Russian forces.

Ukrainian troops have made significant progress in the northeast and south of the country in recent weeks.

The latest US hardware includes four others from the high-precision Hymer multiple rocket system.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Washington has committed nearly $17bn in military support for Kyiv.

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In a statement on Thursday, Mr Antonov warned that "the US decision to continue pumping the Kyiv regime with heavy weapons only secures Washington's position as a participant in the conflict".

He said this would result in "prolonged bloodshed and new casualties".

"We call on Washington to stop its provocative actions that could have the most dire consequences," the Russian ambassador said.

After suffering several major defeats on the battlefield in Ukraine in recent weeks, Russia has vowed to defend itself by all available means while not ruling out the use of its nuclear weapons.

Moscow is advancing with its annexation efforts of four regions of Ukraine: Donetsk and Luhansk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhya in the south.

However, Russia does not fully control any of the regions, and Ukrainian forces have been advancing rapidly in the Kherson region in recent days.

Mr Antonov's warning comes soon after US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris discussed further military cooperation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a statement, the White House stressed that "the United States will never recognize Russia's alleged occupation of the territory of Ukraine.

"President Biden pledges to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression for as long as it takes."

The new military aid package includes "HIMARS, artillery systems and ammunition, and armored vehicles," the statement said.

US-made HIMARS - High Mobility Artillery Rocket System - has been used to hit Russian targets such as command posts and ammunition depots.

It has also been used to target bridges, including those on the approaches to Russian-occupied Kherson, which Ukraine is attempting to recapture.