Vladimir Putin said that 95% of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces have been modernised as he addressed Russia on the country’s annual Defender of the Fatherland Day yesterday.

He said that Russia had started serial production of its new Zircon hypersonic missiles and that new strike systems, which he did not specify, were being tested.

In the course of the war in Ukraine, Mr Putin has repeatedly reminded the West of Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

Russia forces ‘pushing further west after taking Avdiivka’

Russian forces have advanced further to the west after taking control of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, Russia’s defence ministry has claimed.

It said Russian forces had also destroyed a number of Western-provided Ukrainian weapons in the past week including seven British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, a US Patriot anti-aircraft guided missile and launch vehicle, and 42 HIMARS rockets.

MEZIESBLOG cannot verify battlefield reports.

For context: The capture of Avdiivka over the weekend, following months of fighting with heavy casualties on both sides, was Russia’s first significant gain since taking the city of Bakhmut last May.

Ukraine said it withdrew its soldiers to save troops from being fully surrounded after months of fierce fighting.