Putin says Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if sovereignty is threatened

President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is able to use nuclear weapons if there’s a risk to Russian statehood, sovereignty or independence, however stated he hoped that the US would chorus from actions that would set off a nuclear battle.

Putin’s assertion was one other blunt warning to the West forward of a presidential vote this week wherein he’s all however sure to win one other six-year time period.

In an interview with Russian state tv launched early Wednesday, Putin described US President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who totally understands potential risks of escalation, and stated that he doesn’t assume that the world is heading to a nuclear battle.

On the identical time, he stated that Russia’s nuclear forces are in full readiness and “from the military-technical viewpoint, we’re ready.”

Putin stated that Moscow is able to use nuclear weapons in case of a risk to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence.”

The Russian chief has repeatedly talked about his readiness to make use of nuclear weapons since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The latest such risk got here in his state-of-the-nation handle final month, when he warned the West that deepening its involvement within the preventing in Ukraine would threat a nuclear battle.

Requested within the interview if he has ever thought of utilizing battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there was no want for that.

He additionally voiced confidence that Moscow will obtain its targets in Ukraine and held the door open for talks, emphasizing that any deal would require agency ensures from the West.

Putin stated {that a} current spike in Ukrainian drone assaults deep inside Russia is a part of efforts to derail the nation’s three-day presidential election, which begins Friday and which he’s all however sure to win.

Russian authorities reported one other main assault by Ukrainian drones early Wednesday. One of many drones hit an oil refinery within the Ryazan area, injuring no less than two individuals and sparking a hearth.

One other drone was downed because it was approaching a refinery close to St. Petersburg and 30 others have been downed within the southwestern Voronezh area.