Russian lawmaker: “The decision to strike Russian territory is clearly being prepared.”

The Russian lawmaker continued, “There are too many conversations and hints about it for it to be reversed. Even if it has not been made yet, it looks like it will be a matter of days. The leak via The Guardian is not accidental. Public opinion is being prepared.”

Update(1230ET): Putin says not so fast... First, here’s a UK Times report within the last hour:

President Putin is currently speaking at the St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, which addresses current events related to Russia. He issued the following red line while speaking to a reporter on the sidelines of the conference Thursday:

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the West giving Kyiv a green-light to use longer-range weapons to strike Russian targets would mean NATO will be “at war” with Russia.

“This would in a significant way change the very nature of the conflict… It would mean that NATO countries are at war with Russia,” Putin told a state television reporter.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russian-counteroffensive-kursk-belatedly-full-swing