Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ordered Russian deterrent forces, which may include a nuclear component, on high alert, due to “aggressive statements” by the West.

“I order the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff to put the Russian army’s deterrent force on special combat alert,” Putin told a televised meeting with his military chiefs, quoted by AFP.

The order came on the fourth day of fighting in Ukraine, which Putin ordered to invade on Thursday.

“Western countries are not only taking hostile measures against our country in the economic sphere but also senior officials of key NATO members have made aggressive statements towards our country,” Putin said during the meeting, according to Russian television.

Source: with agencies