Vladimir Putin puts Russia's nuclear deterrence forces on high alert

Russian president says order taken in response to 'aggressive statements' by Nato over Ukraine Russia-Ukraine crisis: live news Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to put Russia's nuclear deterrence forces on high alert in response to "aggressive statements" by Nato countries. The order came at a meeting between the president, the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and the chief of the general staff of the armed forces of Russia, Valery Gerasimov.