Putin amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle?

Putin is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as Russia prepares for war with Nato, Norway says

SHANNON MCGUIGAN

Putin is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as his country prepares for war with NATO, Norway has said. 

Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik claimed his country had found Russia had been increasing its military presence in the Arctic, particularly in the Kola peninsula. 

The politician also said Vladimir Putin had been attempting to take over the Arctic region where its fleet is based to block shipping routes to Nato allies if war broke out.

'Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula... where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located,' Mr Sandvik told The Telegraph.

'They [the nuclear weapons] are not only pointed towards Norway, but towards the UK and over the pole towards Canada and the US.

'We are the eyes and ears of Nato in this area, and we see that they're testing new weapons, for example hypersonic missiles, and they are testing nuclear-driven torpedoes and nuclear warheads.'

The Kola peninsula, famed for accommodating the world's most condensed nuclear weapon stockpile, plays a key role in the Kremlin's ability to deliver a 'second strike'.

The term 'second strike' refers to a nation's ability to retaliate following an initial nuclear strike by a rival. 

The Kola Peninsula, historically home to the Russian Northern Fleet, was previously established in 1733 to safeguard the Russian Empire's fisheries and trade routes. 

Over the last two years, Russia has launched a new frigate and a multi-role submarine. 

Mr Sandvik noted that the most dangerous aspect of Russia today is its submarines. 

Although the Kremlin may be struggling in the Ukraine war, its nuclear warheads and 'second-strike' capacity allow it to maintain its superpower status. 

Prior to latest developments, the Russian fleet included at least 16 nuclear-powered submarines and the advanced Tsirkon hypersonic missile - capable of traveling at speeds up to eight times the speed of sound.

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