Putin flaunts Russian nuclear strength in televised address

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a state-of-the-nation address Thursday revealed a new collection of nuclear weapons and threatened to respond instantly to any attack on Russia or its allies. During his televised speech, Putin said some of the nation’s new weapons include an intercontinental ballistic missile, underwater nuclear drones, a small nuclear warhead, and a supersonic laser weapon. Russia’s new collection weakens NATO’s U.S.-led missile defenses, Putin claimed. “Unfriendly steps toward Russia, such as the deployment of ABM [anti-ballistic missile] systems, and of NATO infrastructure nearer our borders and such like, from a military point of view, will become ineffective,” he said. Putin also expressed concern the United States might be willing to use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack. He warned any nuclear strike against Russia or its allies would be considered an attack on the country: “The response will be instant and with all the relevant consequences.” Putin’s speech comes just weeks before Russia’s presidential election on March 18, which he is expected to win. His speech also included promises to improve living standards and build new infrastructure in Russia.