Russia says it will not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Zaitsev told reporters Friday that Russia's use of nuclear weapons does not coincide with Moscow's intentions in the invasion of Ukraine.

“ [The nuclear weapons] cannot be used for the realisation of the goals, which are defined in the framework of special military operation in Ukraine”, he said.

Zaitsev said that according to Russia's nuclear doctrine, these types of weapons can be used only if the existence of the state is threatened.

Western officials have publicly expressed concerns about the danger of using nuclear weapons in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has said Western officials' statements on this issue risk escalating the situation, even though Russian President Vladimir Putin, shortly after the start of the Ukraine's invasion, ordered that the country's nuclear forces be placed on high alert.