Moscow: Vladimir Putin has said that the threat of a nuclear war is increasing.
During a meeting with Russia’s Human Rights Council, Putin said he still views nuclear weapons as a deterrent measure.
“We are aware of what nuclear weapons are. We have these means, they are in a more advanced and modern form than those of any other nuclear country, this is obvious,” the Russian President said, according to CNN.
“This is a deterrent factor that does not provoke the expansion of conflicts, but a deterrent, and I hope everyone understands this,” Putin remarked.
He added that Russia has a strategy of “when we are struck, we strike in response”, and said deployment of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear weapons) is “based around the so-called retaliatory strike.”
Putin’s comments came in the wake of Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko warning of an “apocalypse” scenario during winter if Russian air strikes continue on infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital city, reported Reuters.
“Kyiv might lose power, water and heat supply. The apocalypse might happen, like in Hollywood films, when it’s not possible to live in homes considering the low temperature,” said Klitschko.
He added that there is no need for people to evacuate now, but they should be ready to do so.
Klitschko claimed that 152 residents of Kyiv have been killed and 678 buildings destroyed since Russian invaded Ukraine in late February.
Putin, who launched a ‘special military operation’ on February 24, admitted to his loyalists recently that the Russian army could be fighting in Ukraine for a long time. He, however, added that there was no immediate plan for a fresh call-up of soldiers.
