Ukraine invasion: Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert
28-02-2022, 08:14

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's military to put its deterrence forces, which include nuclear weapons, on "special alert".

He told defence chiefs it was because of "aggressive statements" by the West, amid widespread condemnation of his invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement does not mean Russia intends to use the weapons.

The US immediately condemned his decision calling it an "unacceptable escalation".

Last week, Mr Putin had warned that "whoever tries to hinder us" in Ukraine would see consequences "you have never seen in your history".

Those words were widely interpreted as signalling a threat to use nuclear weapons if the West stood in his way.

That warning became sharper on Sunday when he ordered the Russian defence minister and the chief of the military's general staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces on a "special regime of combat duty".

After Mr Putin's announcement, the EU announced an unprecedented new raft of sanctions and actions against Russia, including:

  • The financing of weapons for Ukraine
  • A total ban on Russian planes using EU airspace
  • Barring state media outlets Sputnik and Russia Today from EU territory.

These measures come on top of other sanctions already imposed by Western nations, which include asset freezes on major banks and wealthy individuals, including Mr Putin himself.

The US ambassador to the United Nations said Mr Putin's nuclear deterrent order showed he was escalating the Ukraine conflict in an unacceptable manner.

The White House said Russia had not been under threat from Nato at any point, while Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described Mr Putin's comments as "dangerous rhetoric".

Russia attacks Ukraine: More coverage

line

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian presidency says it has agreed to hold negotiations with Russia at a location on the border between Ukraine and Belarus.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that in a conversation with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, the Ukrainian side had agreed to meet the Russians without preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River.

Mr Zelensky said Mr Lukashenko had taken responsibility for ensuring that all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory remained on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation's travel, talks and return.

Neither Russia nor Belarus have issued any statements about potential talks.

Russia's defence ministry has now acknowledged that its military personnel have been killed and wounded in Ukraine, though it claims the losses are much less than those of Ukraine.

The UN said that by Saturday, at least 134 Ukrainian military had been killed. Ukraine, meanwhile, says there have been 4,300 casualties among Russian servicemen, but even Ukrainian officials say those figures are not clear.

Ukraine's human rights commissioner says 210 civilians have been killed.

Among the dead are children - one when a children's hospital was shelled in Kyiv and one in a Russian attack on a kindergarten that claimed six lives near the northern border at Okhtyrka.

Nine civilians have been killed in Kyiv, while 10 ethnic Greek Ukrainians died in air strikes on villages in the south-east, Greek officials say.

So far, the UN has recorded 64 confirmed civilian deaths and many more wounded, and it expects the true number to be much higher.

In other developments, as the Russian invasion entered its fourth day:

BBC

Comments: 249
#69   Louann
      
Good day! I could have sworn I've been to your blog
before but after going through many of the articles I realized
it's new to me. Anyways, I'm definitely delighted I stumbled upon it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back
often!

my homepage ... casino en ligne francais (maga.wiki)
15 November 2023 06:09
#68   Kalle
      
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes that produce the biggest changes.

Thanks for sharing!

Feel free to surf to my web blog; Amena
9 November 2023 20:48
#67   Latika
      
This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!


Also visit my web blog ... Shinika
9 November 2023 19:40
#66   Jimi
      
You've made some good points there. I checked on the internet for additional
information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.


Also visit my web blog: Flor
9 November 2023 19:13
#65   Takira
      
Ahaa, its good dialogue regarding this paragraph here at this webpage, I have
read all that, so at this time me also commenting at
this place.

My site ... Jameela

Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis.

It's always useful to read content from other
authors and practice a little something from their websites.


my site Monquie
9 November 2023 18:54
#64   Helder
      
I visited many sites however the audio feature for audio songs present at this website is genuinely wonderful.


My web page - Briston
9 November 2023 03:36
#63   Sharolyn
      
Hi there mates, how is all, and what you wish for to say about this article, in my
view its really remarkable for me.

my page: Trae
9 November 2023 03:08
#62   Alaine
      
Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my
blog thus i got here to return the choose?.I am trying to
to find issues to improve my site!I guess its ok to use a
few of your ideas!!

Feel free to visit my homepage Breana
9 November 2023 02:42
#61   Silvester
      
What's up colleagues, fastidious article and nice arguments commented here, I am truly enjoying by these.


Here is my website; Emmylou
9 November 2023 02:22
#60   Vue
      
What i do not realize is in truth how you are now not actually much more neatly-preferred than you might be now.
You are so intelligent. You know thus considerably in relation to this subject, produced me individually
believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren't fascinated except it is
something to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding.
At all times handle it up!

Also visit my page - Jilliam
9 November 2023 02:21
#59   Ame
      
I'm not certain the place you are getting your
info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time studying
more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I used to be in search
of this information for my mission.

My webpage :: Harlon
9 November 2023 01:42
#58   Kathlynn
      
I know this site offers quality dependent articles or reviews and extra stuff, is there any other web
site which presents these kinds of stuff in quality?


Also visit my web site Narin
9 November 2023 01:42
#57   Queen
      
I don't even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don't know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;)
Cheers!

My blog post Latisha
9 November 2023 00:35
#56   Mila
      
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am going
through problems with your RSS. I don't understand why I can't subscribe to it.
Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows
the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

My page; Mikki
9 November 2023 00:31
#55   Quintisha
      
I blog frequently and I seriously appreciate your content.
Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking
for new details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed
too.

My webpage Keil
8 November 2023 23:52
#54   Taliah
      
Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your posts.
Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover
the same topics? Thanks for your time!

My blog post - Greogry
8 November 2023 23:44
#53   Waymond
      
I'm very happy to discover this great site. I wanted
to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!!
I definitely liked every part of it and i also have
you book-marked to look at new things on your
blog.

My blog post; Macus
8 November 2023 22:07
#52   Alexandros
      
Very energetic article, I enjoyed that bit. Will there be a part 2?


Also visit my website: Janene
8 November 2023 21:26
#51   Khristopher
      
If you wish for to improve your know-how just keep visiting this web page and be updated with the newest news update posted here.


my web site; Tani
8 November 2023 20:08
#50   Raoul
      
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I'm trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Take a look at my site :: Noga
8 November 2023 19:15
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 ... 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13Next