Vladimir Putin points to Hiroshima nuclear bomb in chilling chat with Emmanuel Macron

Vladimir Putin has referenced the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks in a conversation with French president Emmanuel Macron, it has emerged.

There have been ongoing fears that the Russia president will resort to a nuclear attack on Ukraine.

Those concerns have escalated in recent months as Russia's invasion has been dealt a series of major setbacks.

Diplomatic sources say Putin claimed that the bombings – which prompted Japan to surrender at the end of the Second World War – showed that is wasn't necessary to attack a major city “in order to win”.

The United States killed over 350,000 people – mainly civilians – when it detonated two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

The reported remarks come after a number of setbacks have seen Russian forces retreat in some annexed areas of Ukraine.

There have been increasing fears that Putin may resort to using nuclear weapons in Ukraine (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The Daily Mail reported that source claimed that Putin had told Macron that the attacks on Japan 67 years ago showed “you don’t need to attack the major cities in order to win”.

The source added: “Macron was distinctly alarmed. It sounded like a very heavy hint that Putin might detonate a tactical nuclear weapon in the east of Ukraine, while leaving Kyiv intact.

“That appeared to be the thrust of his remarks.”

The comments are in keeping with Russian rhetoric that all options are on the table regarding their illegal occupation of parts of Ukraine.

There have been rumours circulating that security agencies fear that Putin may detonate a weapon over the Black Sea in order to spread panic without igniting a full nuclear war.

Macron has ruled out France responding if Russia uses an atomic bomb in Ukraine (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin's increasingly aggressive rhetoric comes after Ukrainian forces attacked a key bridge between Russia and Crimea, something the despot had declared would “cross a red line”.

Macron has previously ruled out being drawn into a nuclear war with Russia, saying last month that France “evidently” would not strike if Russia launched a nuclear attack on Ukraine.

He said: “France has a nuclear doctrine that is based on the vital interests of the country and which are clearly defined.

“These would not be at stake if there was a nuclear ballistic attack in Ukraine or in the region.”

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