Russian Senator: U.K. Will Be ‘Wiped Off the Face of the Earth’ If It Uses Nuclear Weapons

A senior Russian politician responded aggressively Monday to comments by the U.K.’s defense minister suggesting pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons against Russia is an option for London, claiming the U.K. would be completely annihilated by Russia’s nukes in response.

Russia’s Frants Klintsevich, who heads the defense and security committee in Moscow’s upper house of parliament, said the U.K. would be “literally wiped off the face of the Earth by a counter strike.” Earlier that day, U.K. Defense Minister Michael Fallon said during a radio show that the U.K. could consider a preemptive nuclear attack amid recent political tensions between Russia and Western governments, according to The Moscow Times. Fallon said the U.K.’s military would only make combat use of its Trident nuclear program in extenuating circumstances, but refused to say exactly what those conditions would be.

 

Read More: Russian Senator: U.K. Will Be ‘Wiped Off the Face of the Earth’ If It Uses Nuclear Weapons