Russia slams ‘US lapdog’ after Lithuanian diplomat’s post on Crimea bridge – Times of India
NEW DELHI: In a recent social media post, Lithuanian ambassador to Sweden Linas Linkevicius seemingly threatened the strategic Crimean Bridge with a caption hinting at the use of long-range missiles. This statement has sparked a strong reaction from Russia‘s deputy representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, who labeled Linkevicius and similar actors as “US lapdogs.” Polyansky’s fierce response highlighted the potential repercussions of such remarks, suggesting that those involved would ultimately regret their actions.
The ambassador’s post included images of the Crimean Bridge, a missile launch, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a provocative caption about taking photographs at the bridge. The timing of this post coincides with the White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s revelation that the US had delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, which could reach the 19-kilometer-long bridge that links Crimea to mainland Russia, a report in Russia Today said.
This development comes amid ongoing assaults on the bridge since the conflict began in February 2022. Despite defenses repelling most attacks, the bridge suffered significant damage from an explosives-laden truck in October 2022 and a naval drone attack in July, which resulted in civilian casualties.
The Kremlin reiterated its stance on the protective measures against Ukraine, citing the threats against Russian infrastructure as validation for its military actions. The back-and-forth between these nations continues to highlight the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict and the critical role of international diplomacy and military strategy.
(With inputs from agencies)