Vladimir Putin has this afternoon ordered his minister of defence to put Russia’s nuclear deterrence forces on high alert.
The Russian President said the move was as a result of ‘aggressive statements and sanctions’ from western leaders.
Putin ordered his minister of defence and chief of the military’s general staff to put the nuclear deterrence forces on high alert, in a move that is likely to increase tensions with Ukraine and other western countries. The Russian leader warned at the start of the conflict that any action taken by NATO and other countries to attempt to stop Russia would result in a harsh retaliation of the type never seen before.
Speaking on Russian Television, Vladimir Putin said:
“Not only do Western countries take unfriendly measures against our country in the economic dimension and illegitimate sanctions that everyone knows about. Also the highest ranking officials of leading NATO countries are allowing themselves to make aggressive statements in relation to our country. For this reason I order the minister of defence and the chief of general staff to put deterrent forces on special combat duty.”
More soon.
