Vladimir Putin sends nuclear threat after Ukraine gets green light for drone strikes in Russia

Vladimir Putin’s henchmen warned last night that the fighting in Ukraine could escalate into an ‘all-out nuclear war’ after America gave Ukraine the green light to launch drone strikes deep inside Russia.

The Russian officials were responding to reports that the Pentagon had told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that he can launch the attacks within Russia, which the US previously advised against, fearing an all-out war between Russia and Nato.

One source in Putin’s circle said last night: ‘This is playing with fire, risking full-scale war which could easily go nuclear.’

Another said: ‘Who will now give Moscow the green light for strikes against Ukrainian decision-making centres?’

The Pentagon has apparently changed tack following an escalation of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s cities, especially with Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. Iran has become one of the most important suppliers to Russia in the Ukraine war, and is also in talks to deliver ballistic missiles.

Mr Zelensky said his air force took down ten of the 15 Iranian drones that were used to target his country’s southern regions in the early hours of yesterday. He added: ‘The occupiers destroyed Bakhmut – another Donbas city that the Russian army turned into burnt ruins.’ The governor of Odesa said the strikes caused power cuts in most of his region.

Last night, Putin officials pointed out that Ukraine was already bombing territory in Russia, with strikes on the Engels and Dyagilevo air bases. One official, Konstantin Gavrilov, said: ‘Provocations against these airfields could have created risks for nuclear security.’ Two Russian nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers were reportedly damaged.

Russia has tightened its defences around its capital, Moscow, and readied bomb shelters amid fears of Ukrainian attacks.