Putin signals readiness for nuclear war, cites strategic defense

"Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if it concerns the existence of the Russian state, impinging on its sovereignty and independence," stated Vladimir Putin in an interview with Rossija1 and RIA Novosti.

Many reports of alleged attacks and aggression by Ukraine, as reported by Russian media, are false. These are parts of the informational warfare by the Russian Federation.

"Weapons exist to be used. We have our rules. We will use them if the existence of the Russian state is threatened. Everything is written in our strategy; we haven’t changed that," the dictator threatened in response to a question about the readiness to use nuclear weapons related to the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin also stated that although "Russia is ready for nuclear war," it hopes that "enough qualified experts in Washington will prevent escalation."

"From a military-technical perspective, we are, of course, ready. They (the strategic nuclear forces - ed.) are always with us, always in a state of combat readiness," said the dictator.

Putin did not rule out that Russia might conduct nuclear tests "if the United States does the same."

His comments have prompted a response from the State Duma of the Russian Federation. Adalbi Shkhagoshev, a member of the Duma's Security Committee, described it as "an adequate response to the inappropriate behavior of the West, which creates dangers for the Russian Federation." "Life has shown that they understand the language of force more than the language of agreements," said Shkhagoshev.

In the interview, Putin also referred to Tuesday's guerilla attack. "The 'Freedom for Russia' Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Siberian Battalion announced that they had moved into the border areas."