President Vladimir Putin is boasting that Russia's nuclear weapons are more modern than those of the U.S.
Putin made the claim in an interview with the state broadcaster that aired on Wednesday.
"Our triad, the nuclear triad, it is more modern than any other triad. Only we and the Americans actually have such triads. And we have advanced much more here," Putin said, according to the Moscow Times.
Putin also warned that he was ready to deploy the weapons if Russia felt threatened.
"We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons - including the weapons you mentioned - if it is a question of the existence of the Russian state or damage to our sovereignty and independence, he told Rossiya-1 television and news agency RIA.
Putin said the use of nuclear weapons was outlined in the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine, the policy that details the situations in which Russia might use its weapons.
Russia has made threats about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine but it is unclear how serious they are about the possibility.
Plans to attack Europe were also suggested in a letter that was leaked in November. The document looked to be rubber-stamped by Putin with his initials and the phrase "agreed" on December 12, 2023.
Putin is expected to win the March 15 to 17 presidential election in Russia.
