Russia is stepping up efforts to produce sophisticated weapons for the military in response to Western countries' support for Kiev in its war with Moscow - RT quoted former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as saying on December 11.
Medvedev's comments came after Aleksey Danilov, head of Ukraine's National Defense and Security Council, said Kiev would not rule out deep strikes inside Russia.
writing on Telegram, Mr. Medvedev said that Moscow's "enemies" are not only in Kiev, but also in Europe, North America and some other locations.
Therefore, we are increasing the production of the most powerful weapons and ammunition, including weapons based on new principles, the former Russian president added.
Medvedev's comments came after The Times quoted a US defense source as saying on December 9 that the Pentagon allowed Kiev to conduct long-range strikes inside Russian territory.
Earlier this month, Ukraine launched an attack on two Russian air bases in the provinces of Ryazan and Saratov, both several hundred kilometers from the territory controlled by Kiev, using a number of "Soviet-made" drones, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told ABC on December 11 that the US does not encourage Ukraine to attack targets deep in Russian territory.
In September, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned Washington not to provide long-range weapons to Kiev, which would cross the red line and make the US a direct partner in the conflict.
At the end of November, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Moscow would significantly increase defense spending. He said that Russian state defense orders will increase by nearly 50% next year, in which fireworks and missile systems will be given special attention.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that nearly all of NATOs arsenal had been used to support the Kiev government. However, he added that "Russian equipment is working well in the confrontation with Western weapons".
