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US, UK spy chiefs praise Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, say West shouldn’t fear Russia’s nuclear threats

CIA Director Burns and MI6 Chief Moore commend Ukraine’s “audacious” incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast and stress the importance of sustained Western support. Burns says there was a “genuine risk” of Russia using tactical nukes in fall 2022.
byYuri Zoria
08/09/2024
3 minute read
us uk spy chiefs praise ukraine's audacious kursk offensive mi6 chief richard moore (left) cia director bill burn (right) london 7 september 2024 politico cia-director-bill-burns-and-uk-mi6-chief-richard-moore
MI6 chief Richard Moore (left) and CIA director Bill Burn (right). London, 7 September 2024. Photo: CNN, via Politico.
US, UK spy chiefs praise Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, say West shouldn’t fear Russia’s nuclear threats

Speaking at a joint public event in London on 7 September, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore discussed the implications of Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russian territory. US and UK intelligence chiefs have praised Ukraine’s recent offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, describing it as a “significant tactical achievement” that has exposed Russian vulnerabilities.

Ukraine’s ongoing Kursk incursion, which began early last month, surprised both Russians and Ukraine’s allies, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia’s military despite its advantage in manpower and equipment. Ukraine secured a swath of Russian territory near Sumy Oblast, pushing Russian artillery out of range and halting cross-border shelling on nearby communities.

According to AP, speaking alongside Burns, Moore stated that the offensive was “typically audacious and bold on the part of the Ukrainians, to try and change the game.” He added that it had “brought the war home to ordinary Russians.”

Burns said the incursion was a “significant tactical achievement” that had revealed vulnerabilities in the Russian military.

However, both intelligence chiefs acknowledged that it remains to be seen whether Ukraine can turn these gains into a long-term advantage.

Russia’s nuclear threats not to be feared

Burns also disclosed that late 2022 saw a serious risk of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

“None of us should take lightly the risks of [Russia’s nuclear] escalation,” Burns said at a Financial Times event, according to NBC News. “There was a moment in the fall of 2022 when I think there was a genuine risk of […] the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons.”

CIA chief Burns said that at the end of 2022, President Biden had sent him to speak with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Naryshkin, to clearly communicate the consequences of such escalation, according to Daily Mail. He visited Moscow in November 2022.

Despite this risk, both Burns and Moore urged Western allies not to be intimidated by Russian threats of escalation.

“I don’t think we can afford to be intimidated by that saber-rattling or bullying, but we’ve got to be mindful of it,” Burns added.

Moore said,

“Nobody in the West is going to be intimidated by such talk or any other behavior by the Russian state, because we all recognize we’ve got to stay in this and we have to try and help the Ukrainians to restore their independence and sovereignty.”

According to AP, both Burns and Moore emphasized the need for continued Western support for Ukraine, stating that “staying the course” in backing Ukraine’s fight against Russia was more important than ever. They warned that the world order was “under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War.”

Russian sabotage in Europe

Burns and Moore highlighted the importance of the trans-Atlantic relationship in facing “an unprecedented array of threats,” including Russia’s “reckless campaign of sabotage” across Europe.

Moore described the Russian intelligence service as having “gone a bit feral,” acting in an increasingly desperate and reckless manner.

The intelligence chiefs’ remarks came ahead of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, where Ukraine and other global issues are expected to be discussed.

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