Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has once again stirred the 'nuclear' conversation by stating that Moscow will have to use the atomic weapon if Kyiv's ongoing counter-offensive was a success.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally made the comments on social media, imagining a situation where Russian troops were forced to step back by the Ukrainians.&nbsp;

"Imagine if the...offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off a part of our land then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia," said Medvedev, who is the deputy chairman of Russia's security council.

"There would simply be no other option. So our enemies should pray for our warriors' (success). They are making sure that a global nuclear fire is not ignited," he added.

Medvedev was referring to Russia's nuclear doctrine which lays out that weapons of mass destruction can be used in response to aggression against Russia carried out using conventional weapons which threatens the existence of the state.

Ukraine has launched a counter-offensive against the Russians to retake territory unilaterally annexed and declared as&nbsp;part of its own by Putin. However, the move is yet to show tangible results. Putin last week said there were no serious battlefield changes to report in recent days and that Ukraine's military had suffered significant losses since June 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/can-putin-be-arrested-by-the-the-international-criminal-court-573455">WATCH |&nbsp;Can Putin be arrested by the international criminal court?</a>

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<h2>Not&nbsp;Medvedev's first rodeo</h2>

Notably, this is not the first instance when&nbsp;Medvedev has&nbsp;made rather hyperbolic statements. Putin's top ally previously said that a civil war will break out in the US in 2023 and that if Russia lost in the ongoing war, it could provoke the beginning of a 'nuclear war'.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, he also threatened hypersonic missile attacks on the&nbsp;International Criminal Court (ICC) after the global organisation issued an arrest warrant against Putin.

Mincing no words, Medvedev suggested that the ICC judges 'watch the skies closely,'&nbsp;referring to an impending missile coming their way.&nbsp;

"I'm afraid, gentlemen, everyone is answerable to God and missiles. It's quite possible to imagine how a hypersonic Oniks fired from a Russian warship in the North Sea strikes the court building in the Hague," Medvedev wrote on Telegram.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-top-aide-threatens-hypersonic-missile-strike-on-icc-after-issuance-of-arrest-warrant-574213">Also read |&nbsp;Putin's top aide threatens 'hypersonic missile strike' on ICC after issuance of arrest warrant</a>

"It can't be shot down, I'm afraid. And the court is just a pathetic international organisation, not the people of a NATO country. So, they won't start a war. They'll be scared. And no one will be sorry."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has once again stirred the 'nuclear' conversation by stating that Moscow will have to use the atomic weapon if Kyiv's ongoing counter-offensive was a success.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has once again stirred the 'nuclear' conversation by stating that Moscow will have to use the atomic weapon if Kyiv's ongoing counter-offensive was a success. Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally made the comments on social media, imagining a situation where Russian troops were forced to step back by the Ukrainians. "Imagine if the...offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off a part of our land then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia," said Medvedev, who is the deputy chairman of Russia's security council. "There would simply be no other option. So our enemies should pray for our warriors' (success). They are making sure that a global nuclear fire is not ignited," he added. Medvedev was referring to Russia's nuclear doctrine which lays out that weapons of mass destruction can be used in response to aggression against Russia carried out using conventional weapons which threatens the existence of the state. Ukraine has launched a counter-offensive against the Russians to retake territory unilaterally annexed and declared as part of its own by Putin. However, the move is yet to show tangible results. Putin last week said there were no serious battlefield changes to report in recent days and that Ukraine's military had suffered significant losses since June 4. WATCH | Can Putin be arrested by the international criminal court? Not Medvedev's first rodeo Notably, this is not the first instance when Medvedev has made rather hyperbolic statements. Putin's top ally previously said that a civil war will break out in the US in 2023 and that if Russia lost in the ongoing war, it could provoke the beginning of a 'nuclear war'. Earlier this year, he also threatened hypersonic missile attacks on the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the global organisation issued an arrest warrant against Putin. Mincing no words, Medvedev suggested that the ICC judges 'watch the skies closely,' referring to an impending missile coming their way. "I'm afraid, gentlemen, everyone is answerable to God and missiles. It's quite possible to imagine how a hypersonic Oniks fired from a Russian warship in the North Sea strikes the court building in the Hague," Medvedev wrote on Telegram. Also read | Putin's top aide threatens 'hypersonic missile strike' on ICC after issuance of arrest warrant "It can't be shot down, I'm afraid. And the court is just a pathetic international organisation, not the people of a NATO country. So, they won't start a war. They'll be scared. And no one will be sorry." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Nuclear war if...': Putin's top aide issues ultimate threat

Ukraine has been cautiously counting the gains it has made in the counter-offensive launched this month for reclaiming the territories occupied by Russia and on Friday, a US general and President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that the progress is measured in blood. 
 
Speaking to an audience at the National Press Club in Washington, US Army General Mark Milley said that the counteroffensive was "advancing steadily, deliberately working its way through very difficult minefields ... 500 metres a day, 1,000 metres a day, 2,000 metres a day, that kind of thing." 
 
He added that he is not surprised to see the progress slower than what was predicted by a few people and computers. "War on paper and real war are different. In real war, real people die. Real people are on those front lines and real people are in those vehicles. Real bodies are being shredded by high explosives,” he said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarusian-president-lukashenko-asks-wagner-army-to-train-his-military-610780">Belarusian President Lukashenko asks Wagner army to train his military</a>

"What I had said was this is going to take six, eight, 10 weeks, it's going to be very difficult. It's going to be very long, and it's going to be very, very bloody. And no one should have any illusions about any of that,” the army general added. 
 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, last week, said that the counteroffensive has been "slower than desired". Ukraine claims to have recaptured a bunch of villages in operations that freed 130 square km (50 square miles) in the south, however, this remains a small percentage of the total territory which is being held by Russia. 
 
Zelensky on Friday stated that his forces advanced "in all directions of our active operations," while Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said the military assessed progress as "going according to plan," and that Ukraine's counteroffensive needs to be evaluated by "a lot of different military tasks."

<h2 lang="en-US">Slow speed aimed at saving lives</h2>

Zelensky has been quoted as saying that Kyiv wished to show results before a July 11 NATO gathering in Lithuania, at which the country is hoping to get an invitation to start the process of becoming part of the US-led military alliance.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia: 50 soldiers, 2 Generals, 20 foreign mercenaries killed

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"Before the summit, we have to show results," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. "But every kilometre costs lives,” he added. 
 
Acknowledging that the counteroffensive plans have slowed in recent months, he said, "We stopped because we could not advance. Advancing meant losing people and we had no artillery." 
 
He was further quoted as saying that Kyiv was "very cautious in this regard" and that he would rather choose to let it take more time if it meant losing fewer lives. "Between time and human beings, people are the most important," he added.

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(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukraine has been cautiously counting the gains it has made in the counter-offensive launched this month for reclaiming the territories occupied by Russia and on Friday, a US general and President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that the progress is measured in blood.

Ukraine has been cautiously counting the gains it has made in the counter-offensive launched this month for reclaiming the territories occupied by Russia and on Friday, a US general and President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that the progress is measured in blood. Speaking to an audience at the National Press Club in Washington, US Army General Mark Milley said that the counteroffensive was "advancing steadily, deliberately working its way through very difficult minefields ... 500 metres a day, 1,000 metres a day, 2,000 metres a day, that kind of thing." He added that he is not surprised to see the progress slower than what was predicted by a few people and computers. "War on paper and real war are different. In real war, real people die. Real people are on those front lines and real people are in those vehicles. Real bodies are being shredded by high explosives,” he said. ALSO READ | Belarusian President Lukashenko asks Wagner army to train his military "What I had said was this is going to take six, eight, 10 weeks, it's going to be very difficult. It's going to be very long, and it's going to be very, very bloody. And no one should have any illusions about any of that,” the army general added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, last week, said that the counteroffensive has been "slower than desired". Ukraine claims to have recaptured a bunch of villages in operations that freed 130 square km (50 square miles) in the south, however, this remains a small percentage of the total territory which is being held by Russia. Zelensky on Friday stated that his forces advanced "in all directions of our active operations," while Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said the military assessed progress as "going according to plan," and that Ukraine's counteroffensive needs to be evaluated by "a lot of different military tasks." Slow speed aimed at saving lives Zelensky has been quoted as saying that Kyiv wished to show results before a July 11 NATO gathering in Lithuania, at which the country is hoping to get an invitation to start the process of becoming part of the US-led military alliance. WATCH | Russia: 50 soldiers, 2 Generals, 20 foreign mercenaries killed "Before the summit, we have to show results," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. "But every kilometre costs lives,” he added. Acknowledging that the counteroffensive plans have slowed in recent months, he said, "We stopped because we could not advance. Advancing meant losing people and we had no artillery." He was further quoted as saying that Kyiv was "very cautious in this regard" and that he would rather choose to let it take more time if it meant losing fewer lives. "Between time and human beings, people are the most important," he added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Progress of Kyiv's counter-offensive slowed to prevent bloodshed, loss of lives, say Ukraine, US

Ukraine continues its counter-offensive in the East and South. In the latest Ukrainian President Zelensky has announced the Ukrainian forces have liberated settlements in many regions.

Ukraine-Russia war: Ukraine makes breakthrough in South