Nikolai Patrushev, Putin's advisor, announces that Russia's naval nuclear forces are on maximum alert. This comes against the backdrop of the difficulties Putin is facing in the war in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin's advisor, Nikolai Patrushev, stated that Russia's strategic naval nuclear forces are fully combat-ready, according to RIA Novosti. The announcement comes at a critical moment for Putin, who is facing a prolonged war in Ukraine, and his popularity is declining, despite propaganda efforts.

Patrushev emphasized that the Russian Navy protects Moscow's national interests in the world's oceans and that threats from adversaries are integrated into naval development plans until 2050. Russia's nuclear rhetoric, considered a strategic asset, has been reaffirmed by spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, who mentioned that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons if its existence is threatened. In contrast, Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed confidence that Beijing does not believe Russia will resort to the use of nuclear weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin could escalate the conflict and launch aggressions against other countries if he does not achieve his objectives in Ukraine.