Russia-Ukraine war live: Putin threat to strengthen nuclear forces; Nato chief sees ‘signs’ China may provide support to Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin will use an address to mark Thursday’s Defender of the Fatherland public holiday to threatening to strengthen the country’s nuclear forces.

“As before, we will pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad,” Putin said in remarks issued early on Thursday morning by the Kremlin. The ‘triad’, refers to nuclear missiles based on land, sea and in the air.

Putin said that for the first time, Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles – a weapon able to carry multiple nuclear warheads – would be deployed this year.

“We will continue mass production of airbased hypersonic Kinzhal systems and will start mass supplies of sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles,” Putin said.