Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Putin Directs Nuclear Deterrent Forces On High Alert

Putin said, at a conference with his senior officials, that prominent NATO powers had made "aggressive comments."

New Delhi: President Vladimir Putin directed Russia's nuclear deterrent forces to be placed on high alert on Sunday, amid mounting concerns with the West over his attack on Ukraine, news agency Associated Press reported.

Putin said, at a conference with his senior officials, that prominent NATO powers had made "aggressive comments," in addition to the West putting harsh financial restrictions on Russia, including the president himself.

The warning indicates that Putin has ordered Russia's nuclear weapons to be prepped for heightened launch readiness. He instructed Russia's defence minister and Chief of the General Staff to place nuclear deterrent forces on a "special regime of combat duty."

“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin was quoted by AP in its report.

His command implied that tensions with the West over the invasion of Ukraine may escalate to the deployment of nuclear weapons.

This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to strike strongly against any countries that interfered actively in Ukraine's crisis.

(With Inputs From Agencies)