Putin: "Our nuclear forces are still on high alert"
Russia's strategic nuclear forces are still on high alert, Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday as he commemorated the Soviet victory over the Nazis in 1945.
Against a backdrop of tensions with Western powers over the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian president presided over the military parade on Red Square on 9 May to commemorate Victory Day, in which more than 9,000 servicemen took part, as well as armoured vehicles, missile launchers and aircraft, according to the Russian media.
"Russia will do everything in its power to prevent a global confrontation, but at the same time we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic [nuclear] forces are always on alert", he stressed.
In another sign of the deepening rift with the West, Mr Putin recently ordered tactical nuclear exercises involving troops stationed near Ukraine, in response to Western "threats" against Russia.
(Tagtik with FM/Source: Novosti/Photo: Pixabay)
