Putin says Russia is technically ready for nuclear war

STORY: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday (March 13) that Russia was technically ready for nuclear war - the latest in a series of warnings he has delivered to the West in the two years since he launched his invasion of Ukraine.

Asked in an interview if Russia is really ready for a nuclear war, Putin says: "From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready."

He added, however, that he sees no rush towards nuclear confrontation and that Russia has never faced a need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.