Biden threatened Putin with unleashing a shadow war

The Joe Biden administration stated its readiness to escalate the "shadow war" with Russia to a higher level in response to sabotage operations directed against the US and its European allies. 

This warning was a reaction to a series of suspicious incidents which, according to the West, are the work of Russia.

What preceded the threats

A series of incidents in Europe

• In the summer of this year, mysterious fires broke out in warehouses and airports in Germany, the UK and Poland, arising among what appeared to be ordinary cargo.
• US intelligence concluded that these incidents were part of a Russian sabotage campaign.

New threats

• The US received data indicating that Russia was preparing more large-scale operations, including the dispatch of cargo to the US and Canada that was intended to ignite upon unloading.
• US authorities are concerned about the possibility of such cargo exploding on board aircraft, which could result in the deaths of a large number of civilians.

The Biden administration's reaction

A stern warning
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and CIA Director William Burns informed Vladimir Putin that if the sabotage resulted in mass casualties, the US would consider Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

The effect of the threat
Following the direct warning, suspicious incidents in Europe ceased, according to sources.

Possible consequences

US response
The US made it clear that any threat to the lives of citizens on US soil or that of its allies would not go unanswered. The White House is ready to use all available measures to prevent such attacks.

Impact on US-Russia relations
This statement may intensify tensions between the countries, leading to a new phase of confrontation in both the political and economic spheres.