Russian Duma Accuses NATO of Direct Involvement in Ukraine

Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia's State Duma and close ally of Vladimir Putin, accused NATO of direct military involvement in Ukraine. He suggested the alliance was helping Ukraine with strategic military decisions, significantly altering the conflict's nature. Volodin's claims remain unverified by independent sources.

In a stark accusation, Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia's State Duma, has alleged that NATO is playing a direct role in the military actions in Ukraine. Volodin, a close confidant of President Vladimir Putin, asserted that the U.S.-led alliance is deeply involved in decision-making processes regarding military strategies against Russia.

His remarks followed President Putin's warning that Western participation in arming Ukraine with long-range missiles could escalate the conflict further. According to Volodin, NATO is assisting Ukraine in selecting Russian targets and orchestrating specific military maneuvers. Although no concrete evidence was provided, he depicted NATO's involvement as an attempt to mask its participation in acts of aggression against Russia.

Volodin also indicated that NATO's role had progressed from providing advisers and instructors to deploying mercenaries and units equipped with NATO weaponry. Despite the severity of these allegations, Reuters could not independently verify the claims made by Volodin.

(With inputs from agencies.)