At the same time, the Russian dictator justified his threats by claiming that NATO was the first to declare its readiness to strike Russian territory.
This is untrue.
“I want to remind those who allow themselves such statements about Russia that our country also has various means of defeat,” Putin said.
“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will definitely use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff.”
Putin announced a "partial mobilization" in the Russian Federation to compensate for the colossal losses of Russian army troops in Ukraine.