- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday put Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on high alert.
- Putin said the decision was sparked by the sanctions placed by western nations.
- He also blamed "senior officials of leading NATO countries" for "aggressive statements."
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday ordered Russia's nuclear deterrent forces to be on alert amid his ongoing attack on Ukraine.
Putin blamed the move on statements from member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and on statements from western nations.
"Dear colleagues, as you see, Western countries are not only taking hostile actions toward our country in the economic sphere—I am talking about the illegitimate sanctions everybody knows about," Putin said in a statement translated to English.
"But more importantly, senior officials of leading NATO countries make aggressive statements against our country. That is why I order the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff to put the deterrent forces of the Russian army in a special regime of duty," he added.
The move means the Russian President has ordered the country's nuclear weapons to be prepared for the increased possibility of launch, The Washington Post reported.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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