 Putin orders army to prepare for nuclear tests. Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Ministry of Defense and Rosatom, the National Nuclear Regulator, to ensure readiness for nuclear tests, as he believes that the United States can conduct tests and create new types of nuclear munitions. Putin told it during the address to the Federal Assembly on the 21st of February. He said, Of course, we will not be the first to do this. But if the USA conducts tests of nuclear weapons, then we will also conduct them. No one should have dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed. The Russian President said that he had ordered measures to be taken because it is known for sure that the USA is considering the possibility of testing its nuclear weapons. According to him, the warranty periods for combat use of certain types of American nuclear munitions are expiring. In addition, Putin claims that the US is already developing new types of nuclear munitions. It should be noted before this, there was information Putin is set to demonstrate his willingness to use weapons of mass destruction with a nuclear test on Ukraine's borders. The Kremlin has been signaling its readiness for a significant escalation as Russia loses ground on the battlefield.