Vladimir Putin has the ability to launch thousands of nuclear missiles against Russia ’s enemies including Britain - but it appears the Russian President is not ready to declare all-out war yet.
With the UK offering its support to Ukraine by providing weapons and aid, some fear the British Isles may become a target in the near future.
Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the UK has offered high-tech weaponry to the eastern European nation including anti-tank weapons.
Commentators on Russian state television have even discussed Russia’s ability to hit Britain with nuclear warheads.
Deputy chairman of the Kremlin’s defence committee, Aleksey Zhuravlyov, discussed Finland’s NATO membership application and how Britain would be in reach of Russian nukes on state TV earlier this month.
He said: "If Finland wants to join this bloc, then our goal is absolutely legitimate – to question the existence of this state. This is logical."
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He added: "The Finns in general should be grateful to Russia for their statehood, for the fact that Finland exists as a country.
"We can hit with a Sarmat from Siberia, and even reach the UK."
Russia is thought to have around 4,500 nuclear warheads most of which can be targeted at long distances.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimates that America currently has 3,708 nukes.
It also believes Britain has a stockpile of approximately 225 nuclear missiles which it could use in the event of an attack.
However, comments made by Putin in the past suggest that nuclear war is off the cards.
Speaking at a press conference in 2018, when asked about using nuclear weapons Putin suggested he would not use one because of the disaster it would cause globally.
He said: "The danger of the situation is being downplayed. It now seems to be impossible, something without crucial importance, but at the same time if something like this would happen this would lead to the collapse of the entire civilisation and maybe our planet.
“Unfortunately, we have this trend to underestimate the current situation. There are dangers, there are risks in our day-to-day lives.
“What are those risks? First and foremost, the collapse of the international system of arms control, of moving away from an arms race.”
