Putin has ordered tactical nuclear weapons testing as Russia directly warns the West to back-off as fears of an all-out-war with Nato surge.
Russia’s latest threat comes as the Kremlin tells Western officials if they continue to support Ukraine then a “worldwide catastrophe” will break out as even those in Downing Street were told they can’t hide anymore.
Putin told his Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to prepare military drills “in order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to fulfil combat missions”, it has been reported.
This is believed to involve land, air and sea practice and preparations, say the defence ministry.
The drills are thought to be linked to the US, UK and France in particular after French President Emmanuel Macron declared he will send his troops to Ukraine if Putin breaks through the frontline.
If France was to send their troops into Ukraine’s backyard then it could cause major issues.
The French would prove to be the first set of troops with Nato links to step up to Putin’s war machine and go head-to-head with the Russian army.
Nato has consistently wanted to keep the idea of an escalation of a larger conflict minimal.
The reason why it could cause a potential major issue is as Article 5 in Nato’s handbook states that all members are obliged to defend each other if there is an attack.
Russia are thought to be well aware that if they attack and kill French troops then it could draw in UK, German and even US troops into the battle.
Ukraine have also been using Storm Shadow missiles provided to them by Nato allies in the war with Russia.
A raging Putin has previously slammed some of Lord David Cameron’s comments as “dangerous and worrying” after he said British missiles could be used to blitz Russian territory.
Top Kremlin crony and ex-president Dmitry Medvedev said the fresh tests should be taken as a real threat.
Medvedev accused Western leaders of being “scoundrels” before slamming them “for sending their troops to a non-existent country”.
He pinpointed the US, France and the UK of being involved as well as “individual madmen from the Baltic states and Poland”.
