Vladimir Putin has ordered new nuclear training drills to be carried out across Russia in a rambling address on state television.
The Russian president, who has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons during its war with Ukraine, said he wanted to test if his apparatchiks were ready to ‘unleash Armageddon’.
Announcing the unscheduled nuclear training drills, set to take place across the country, Putin said he had modernised Russia’s arsenal thanks to hypersonic innovations.
He said: ‘Today we are conducting another training session of strategic deterrence force.
‘We will practice the actions of officials to manage the use of nuclear weapons with practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
‘All this is necessary for the effective protection of Russia and our citizens. So, let’s get to work. Please.’
Putin used the address to try and justify his interest and investment into nuclear firepower, as fears of a global war heat up.
He said: ‘Let me immediately note that Russia confirms its fundamental position that the use of nuclear weapons is an extreme exceptional measure to ensure state security.
‘At the same time, we are well aware that it is the nuclear triad that continues to be a reliable guarantor of the sovereignty and security of our country.
‘This allows us to solve the problems of strategic deterrence, as well as maintain nuclear parity and the balance of power in the world as objective factors of global stability.
‘Given the growth of geopolitical tensions, the emergence of new external threats and risks, it is important to have modern strategic forces that are constantly ready for combat use.
‘We will continue to improve all their components. We have the resources for this.’
Putin claimed Russia would not get involved in ‘a new arms race’, but said the Kremlin’s nuclear forces are being maintained at ‘the level of necessary sufficiency’.
In previous years Putin has fast-tracked the development of hypersonic strategic weapons, and is considered by some to be ahead of the West in this area.
Discussing how his nuclear arsenal has been modernised, he said: ‘We will systematically transfer to the Strategic Missile Forces….new missile systems of fixed and mobile basing, which….have higher accuracy, reduced launch preparation time and, most importantly, increased capabilities to overcome missile defence systems.
‘In addition, the introduction of the newest nuclear submarines into the Navy continues, as well as the modernisation of long-range strategic bombers.
‘I would like to point out that Russia confirms its fundamental position that the use of nuclear weapons is an extreme, exceptional measure to ensure state security.
‘At the same time, we understand very well that it is the “nuclear triad” continues to be a reliable guarantor of the sovereignty and security of our country.’
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