Vladimir Putin has deployed strategic nuclear bombers as the UN warns the world is 'staring into the abyss of a Third World War' - and the UK prepares to help fortify Nato's eastern front against Russian attack.
The Russian president has launched the Tu-22M3 aircrafts in a renewed show of aggression - which the UN security council warned could escalate into global conflict.
Footage shows Kremlin long-range aviation forces carrying out an air strike on a 'simulated' enemy, with the aim of 'disrupting the control system and destroying critical objects'.
Bastion complexes from the Russian archipelago of Franz Josef Land, which lies in the Arctic Ocean, struck the target in the Arctic with Onyx missiles as part of a drill.
And just today, Putin taunted the West again by deploying hulking nuclear-capable Iskander missile launchers close to Russia's border with Poland.
It comes after the Kremlin flew attack drones into Polish airspace earlier this week which it had to shoot down on Tuesday night with the help of its Nato allies.
Poland closed its border with Belarus as the UN security council was warned of the dire risk of a new world war.
Nato was forced to urgently strengthen its eastern defences - efforts the UK will join.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said on Friday military activity under 'Eastern Sentry' would start in the coming days and involve assets from the UK, as well as allies including France and Germany.
'In addition to more traditional military capabilities, this effort will also feature elements designed to address the particular challenges associated with the use of drones,' Mr Rutte said.
The operation will bolster Nato's posture and add flexibility to its approach, he said.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'The UK is fully committed to playing our part in Nato's Eastern Sentry following the reckless and dangerous airspace violations by Russia.
'We will provide further detail on the UK Armed Forces contribution soon.'
Putin's deployment of nuclear bombers comes as part of its four-day Zapad-2025 exercises - annual drills in the Arctic, Belarus and Russia to test the defensive readiness of the Union State, the alliance between the latter two nations.
They are seen as a challenge to Nato in all three locations.
The war games will also see troops drill the use of nuclear missiles from the West's doorstep in Belarus, Russia's authoritarian neighbour.
It comes as preparations are made for deploying its 'super-weapon', the ballistic missile Oreshnik, in Belarus, which borders Nato alliance states Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Ukraine
And footage of the missile launchers Putin deployed today shows the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
At least two were seen on a highway reportedly close to the Polish border in Russian enclave Kaliningrad, which sits on the Baltic Sea and is also neighboured by Lithuania.
The Iskander-M missiles have a range of at least 310 miles and can carry 10–50 kiloton nuclear warheads, comparable to Hiroshima–Nagasaki bombs.
This would put Nato capitals Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga and possibly Tallinn and Berlin in range.
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