The Russian Foreign Ministry warned on Tuesday of the risk of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers and the grave consequences such a clash could have, reports "Reuters".
The statement came after earlier in the day Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Britain and France of preparing secret deliveries of nuclear weapons-related components and technologies to Ukraine.
The SVR did not provide documentary evidence to support its claims. The French Embassy in Moscow described the accusations as "a blatant lie". There is currently no official comment from the British side.
"Once again, we warn about the risks of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers and, accordingly, its potentially catastrophic consequences," the Russian Foreign Ministry's position states.
The statements come against the backdrop of ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine and heightened rhetoric between Moscow and Western countries.