Russia has begun drills to practise the launch and use of tactical nuclear weapons, a move the Kremlin has said is in response to “escalatory” comments by western officials about the war in Ukraine.

The exercises are being held in undisclosed locations close to areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. They involve Iskander and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and are aimed at testing “the readiness of combat units to respond and to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state”, the Russian defence ministry said.

Moscow has said that the drills are being staged because of comments by British and French officials. President Macron told the Economist magazine that Nato troops could be sent to Ukraine, while Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, the foreign secretary, said Britain would not object if Kyiv used its missiles to hit targets inside Russia.

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