On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian army’s “deterrence force” has been put on alert, which may include a nuclear component, on the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff have ordered that the deterrent forces of the Russian army be put on special combat alert,” Putin said in a meeting with his colleagues, broadcast on television by military leaders.
“It is understandable,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu agreed.
Mr. Putin justified this decision with the “hostile statements of NATO” towards Russia. He also criticized the economic sanctions imposed on Russia due to its “illegal” invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian deterrent forces are a group 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 Defense Ministry.
These forces are equipped with missiles, strategic bombers, submarines and surface ships. On the defensive side, they include the anti-missile shield, space control systems, anti-aircraft and satellite defense.
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, sending international shock waves.
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