In response to a torrent of Western retaliation for his assault on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday raised the alert level for his country's deterrence capabilities, which include nuclear weapons. In a televised meeting with Russia’s top defense officials, Putin said, “Top officials in leading NATO countries have allowed themselves to make aggressive comments about our country, therefore I hereby order the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff to place the Russian Army Deterrence Force on combat alert.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded to Putin’s decision, saying that his decision to place Russia's deterrent forces, including nuclear weapons, on high alert is part of a larger pattern of unwarranted escalation and “fabricated threats” by the Kremlin. Putin's action comes despite widespread criticism from Western nations for Moscow's unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
