Russian President Vladimir Putin said the threat of a nuclear war is increasing even as Kyiv’s mayor warned of an “apocalypse” scenario if the attacks on the infrastructure continue.
Ukrainian servicemen fire a mortar on a front line, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Donetsk region, Ukraine. (Reuters photo)
By India Today Web Desk: While talking to Russia’s Human Rights Council, president Vladimir Putin confirmed on Wednesday that the threat of a nuclear war is increasing. He added that he still views nuclear weapons as a deterrent measure.
“This is a deterrent factor that does not provoke the expansion of conflicts, but a deterrent, and I hope everyone understands this,” said Putin.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Kyiv’s mayor warned of an “apocalypse” scenario in the winter if Russian air strikes on the infrastructure located in the capital city continue.
Here are the latest updates:
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Russian President Vladimir Putin in a meeting with the country’s Human Rights Council said the threat of a nuclear war is increasing. He added that Russia has a strategy of “when we are struck, we strike in response” and said the deployment of weapons of mass destruction – nuclear weapons – is “all based around the so-called retaliatory strike”.
According to CNN, Putin also said he 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,” he added.
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In a rare admission of the long duration of the war, Putin told his loyalists in a televised meeting that the Russian army could be fighting in Ukraine for a long time. However, he added that there is no plan for a second call-up of soldiers at the moment.
Russian forces entered Ukraine in February in what it called its “special military operation”.
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In Ukraine, the mayor of the capital city Kyiv told Reuters that if Russian air strikes on infrastructure continue, Kyiv might face an “apocalypse” scenario. Mayor Vitali Klitschko further said that there is no need for people to evacuate now but they should be ready to do so.
“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. According to him, 152 civilian residents of Kyiv have been killed and 678 buildings destroyed since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in February this year.
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A senior Ukrainian official told news agency Interfax Ukraine that Russian forces have fired more than 1,000 rockets and missiles at power grids. However, the power grid is still working despite the damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video address said the electricity supply in the country is being increased every day but confirmed that there are problems in Kyiv and several other regions. “We should not forget that it is impossible to restore 100% of the energy system, as it was before the beginning of the Russian energy terror,” said Zelenskyy.
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However, the Russian side seems to be weakening, as it struggles to maintain a steady supply of arms for the war. According to AP news, Russia is once again looking to Iran to resupply the Russian military with drones and surface-to-surface missiles.
A UN diplomat also said Iran has plans to sell Russia hundreds of missiles and drones in violation of a 2015 Security Council resolution.