* The Russian despot boasted that his country had the most 'advanced weapons'
* But he also insisted the Kremlin views its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent
* He was speaking during a televised meeting of Russia's 'Human Rights Council'
Vladimir Putin warned today that the risk of nuclear war is 'rising' but insisted Moscow has not 'gone mad' during a televised meeting with officials.
The Russian despot boasted that his country had the most 'advanced weapons' in its arsenal, but claimed the Kremlin sees its own nuclear weapons purely as a deterrent.
His comments come after months of speculation that the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons in Ukraine was rising, as his forces suffer increasingly embarrassing defeats in the field.
There have also been fears Putin may resort to using a dirty bomb and chemical weapons in an attempt to swing the balance in his favour.
Read more ....
Russian President Putin Says Threat Of Nuclear War Is Rising
Putin: Nuclear risk is rising, but we are not mad -- BBC
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the risk of nuclear war is on the rise -- ABC News Australia
Putin Calls Russian Nukes Deterrent Factor, Says War Risk Rising -- Bloomberg
Putin on nuclear threat: We are not crazy, but Russia's strategy is counter-strike -- Ukrainska Pravda
Russia's Putin says Ukraine war could be 'long process,' insists he has not 'gone mad' on nuclear weapons -- FOX News
Putin Denies Kremlin Plans Nuclear First Strike in Ukraine -- Moscow Times
Putin: Russian nuclear weapons a ‘factor of deterrence’ in Ukraine war -- The Hill
Putin warns risk of nuclear war continues to grow as Ukraine invasion becomes ‘long process’ -- NYPost