US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, has cautioned that the risk of escalation in the ongoing conflict is "going way up".
Kellog's stark warning came after Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on Russian airbases that were housing nuclear-capable bombers.
The strikes targeted airfields in Siberia and Russia's far north, reaching up to 4,300 kilometres from the front lines.
"When you attack an opponent's part of their national survival system, which is their triad—the nuclear triad—that means your risk level goes up because you don't know what the other side is going to do," Kellogg stated in an interview with Fox News.
The nuclear triad refers to a nation's three-pronged military structure of strategic bombers, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Russia and the United States together possess approximately 88% of the world's nuclear weapons.
While the physical damage from the Ukrainian strikes was reportedly limited, Kellogg emphasized the psychological impact on Russia. He also expressed concern over unconfirmed reports of a Ukrainian attack on a Russian naval base in the country's north.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump was not informed in advance of Ukraine's drone attacks.
The drone strikes occurred shortly before peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, which yielded little progress. Kellogg described Ukraine's position as "very reasonable," while characterising Russia's stance as "very maximalist."
The conflict, now in its third year, continues to escalate, with both sides engaging in intensified military actions.
The recent developments have heightened international concerns over the potential for further escalation and underscore the urgency of renewed diplomatic efforts.
