His order raised the threat that the tensions with the West over the invasion in Ukraine could lead to the use of nuclear weapons.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces on alert amid tensions with the West over his invasion of Ukraine. Chantee Lans has the latest developments.
Hours after Putin's announcement, the top official in the European Union said the 27-nation bloc will close its airspace to Russian airlines and fund the purchase of weapons for Ukraine. Putin, in giving the nuclear alert directive, cited not only statements by NATO members - who have rushed to reinforce the military alliance's members in Eastern Europe - butimposed by the West against Russia, including the Russian leader himself.
U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear posture, except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.
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