Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday to put the Russian army’s “deterrent force” on alert, which may include a nuclear component, on the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I order the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff to put the Russian army’s deterrent forces on special combat alert,” Putin said in an interview with his colleagues. military leaders broadcast on television.
“It’s understood,” agreed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Mr Putin justified this decision by NATO’s “bellicose statements” towards Russia. He also criticized the economic sanctions taken against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, according to him “illegitimate”.
The Russian deterrent forces are a set of units whose purpose is to deter an attack on Russia, “including in the event of war involving the use of nuclear weapons”, according to the Ministry of Defense.
These forces are equipped with missiles, strategic bombers, submarines and surface ships. On the defensive side, they include an anti-missile shield, space control systems, anti-aircraft and anti-satellite defence.
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, sending international shock waves.
Ukraine confirms talks with Moscow
Ukraine’s presidency said on Sunday it had agreed to talks with Russia and that they will take place on the border with Belarus, near Chernobyl, a decision after mediation by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
“The Ukrainian delegation will meet the Russian (delegation) without setting any preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, in the Pripyat River region,” the presidency said on social media.
