Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow was said to be "fully ready" for detonating a nuclear bomb at "any moment" in the Arctic, as per a report published in The Daily Mail.

Soviet test site's director Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn said that the testing facilities are prepared and can be used immediately "if the order is given".

"The test site is ready to resume full-scale testing activities... The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready," said Rear Admiral Sinitsyn, while speaking to the state-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta.&nbsp;

He added that "foreign intelligence" has been monitoring the site, which is "likely a sign of a concern over nuclear tests".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-orders-russian-army-to-become-second-largest-after-chinas-at-15-million-strong-759355">Putin orders Russian army to become second largest after China's at 1.5 million-strong</a>

"We are constantly ready to repel all types of threats, including the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups onto the island," he stated.

Sinitsyn said that "the 'Central Test Site of the Russian Federation' would be used for 'conducting and providing non-nuclear explosive experiments". He added that the tests were "in the interests of state security".

<h2>Can resume nuclear testing after Putin's order: Sinitsyn&nbsp;</h2>

Speaking about the preparedness of the site, Sinitsyn said, "The testing ground is ready to resume full-scale testing activities. Ready in full."

He said that the test can go ahead if Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an order.

Since October 1990, the site has not been used for nuclear testing.

Sinitsyn said that the priority is to deter aggressors by "readiness" of testing ground infrastructure.

He added that this includes maintaining a 'laboratory' and 'experimental base' in a prepared state.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Putin, NATO Pushing World to Brink of World War III?

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"The testing ground has the appropriate staff, weapons, equipment, that is, everything that is necessary for our activities," Sinitsyn said.

Days back, MP Andrei Kolesnik had appealed to Putin to authorise a nuclear bomb test as a warning signal to the Western countries.&nbsp;

"We need to carry out a nuclear explosion somewhere, at some testing ground," Andrei Kolesnik, who is from the ruling United Russia party.

"Nuclear tests are currently prohibited in our country. But maybe people should see what all this actually leads to, they should hear. If we lift the moratorium, maybe humanity will think twice," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow was said to be "fully ready" for detonating a nuclear bomb at "any moment" in the Arctic, as per a report published in The Daily Mail.

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow was said to be "fully ready" for detonating a nuclear bomb at "any moment" in the Arctic, as per a report published in The Daily Mail. Soviet test site's director Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn said that the testing facilities are prepared and can be used immediately "if the order is given". "The test site is ready to resume full-scale testing activities... The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready," said Rear Admiral Sinitsyn, while speaking to the state-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta. He added that "foreign intelligence" has been monitoring the site, which is "likely a sign of a concern over nuclear tests". Also Read: Putin orders Russian army to become second largest after China's at 1.5 million-strong "We are constantly ready to repel all types of threats, including the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups onto the island," he stated. Sinitsyn said that "the 'Central Test Site of the Russian Federation' would be used for 'conducting and providing non-nuclear explosive experiments". He added that the tests were "in the interests of state security". Can resume nuclear testing after Putin's order: Sinitsyn Speaking about the preparedness of the site, Sinitsyn said, "The testing ground is ready to resume full-scale testing activities. Ready in full." He said that the test can go ahead if Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an order. Since October 1990, the site has not been used for nuclear testing. Sinitsyn said that the priority is to deter aggressors by "readiness" of testing ground infrastructure. He added that this includes maintaining a 'laboratory' and 'experimental base' in a prepared state. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Putin, NATO Pushing World to Brink of World War III? "The testing ground has the appropriate staff, weapons, equipment, that is, everything that is necessary for our activities," Sinitsyn said. Days back, MP Andrei Kolesnik had appealed to Putin to authorise a nuclear bomb test as a warning signal to the Western countries. "We need to carry out a nuclear explosion somewhere, at some testing ground," Andrei Kolesnik, who is from the ruling United Russia party. "Nuclear tests are currently prohibited in our country. But maybe people should see what all this actually leads to, they should hear. If we lift the moratorium, maybe humanity will think twice," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia can blast a nuclear bomb at 'any moment' in the Arctic: Report

The US and most European Union nations are boycotting the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president on Tuesday (May 7).

However, some other EU states and France were expected to send an envoy despite a plea by Kyiv.

The unreliable diplomatic reactions by Western powers underline the differences over how to handle Putin more than two years after he launched a complete offensive in Ukraine.

"No, we will not have a representative at Vladimir Putin’s inauguration," Matthew Miller, a US State Department spokesperson, said. "We certainly did not consider that election free and fair but he is the president of Russia and he is going to continue in that capacity."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-prioritises-trade-and-ukraine-talks-as-chinas-xi-jinping-visits-france-718574">Macron prioritises trade and Ukraine talks as China’s Xi Jinping visits France</a>&nbsp;

Britain and Canada said they would not send anyone to attend the ceremony, which comes a day after Russia on Monday (May 6) announced it would hold tactical nuclear weapon&nbsp;drills that it said it hoped would cool down "hotheads" in the West.

Earlier, Putin won a landslide victory in a presidential election in March just weeks after his most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in jail. Western governments condemned the re-election as unfair and undemocratic.

"Ukraine sees no legal grounds for recognising him as the democratically elected and legitimate president of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

An EU spokesperson announced that the bloc's ambassador to Russia would not be attending the inauguration, reflecting the stance of most EU member states.&nbsp;

A European diplomat indicated that 20 EU countries planned to skip the event, while seven others, including France, were likely to send a representative. According to two diplomatic sources, Hungary and Slovakia were also expected to be present.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-to-take-oath-for-5th-term-as-russian-president-tomorrow-718624">Vladimir Putin to take oath for 5th term as Russian president on Tuesday</a>&nbsp;

Germany's Foreign Ministry said it would not attend the ceremony.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, "We are not at war with Russia or the Russian people, and we have no desire for regime change in Moscow."

Last week, Macron did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, saying if Russia broke through Ukrainian front lines, it would be legitimate to consider it if Kyiv requested the support.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US and most European Union nations are boycotting the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president on Tuesday (May 7). However, some other EU states and France were expected to send an envoy despite a plea by Kyiv.

The US and most European Union nations are boycotting the Kremlin ceremony to swear in Vladimir Putin for a new six-year term as president on Tuesday (May 7). However, some other EU states and France were expected to send an envoy despite a plea by Kyiv. The unreliable diplomatic reactions by Western powers underline the differences over how to handle Putin more than two years after he launched a complete offensive in Ukraine. "No, we will not have a representative at Vladimir Putin’s inauguration," Matthew Miller, a US State Department spokesperson, said. "We certainly did not consider that election free and fair but he is the president of Russia and he is going to continue in that capacity." Also read: Macron prioritises trade and Ukraine talks as China’s Xi Jinping visits France Britain and Canada said they would not send anyone to attend the ceremony, which comes a day after Russia on Monday (May 6) announced it would hold tactical nuclear weapon drills that it said it hoped would cool down "hotheads" in the West. Earlier, Putin won a landslide victory in a presidential election in March just weeks after his most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in jail. Western governments condemned the re-election as unfair and undemocratic. "Ukraine sees no legal grounds for recognising him as the democratically elected and legitimate president of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. An EU spokesperson announced that the bloc's ambassador to Russia would not be attending the inauguration, reflecting the stance of most EU member states. A European diplomat indicated that 20 EU countries planned to skip the event, while seven others, including France, were likely to send a representative. According to two diplomatic sources, Hungary and Slovakia were also expected to be present. Also read: Vladimir Putin to take oath for 5th term as Russian president on Tuesday Germany's Foreign Ministry said it would not attend the ceremony. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, "We are not at war with Russia or the Russian people, and we have no desire for regime change in Moscow." Last week, Macron did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, saying if Russia broke through Ukrainian front lines, it would be legitimate to consider it if Kyiv requested the support. (With inputs from agencies)

US and majority of EU nations to skip Putin's inauguration ceremony

Prominent Russian nationalist Igor Girkin was on Thursday (Jan 25) convicted by a Moscow court for inciting extremism and jailed for four years.

Girkin, who denied the charges, has strongly condemned President Vladimir Putin for not effectively pursuing the war against Ukraine.

He reportedly had also actively contributed towards instigating the conflict between Kremlin-backed separatists and Kyiv's armed forces in Ukraine's Donbas region in the year 2014.

Moscow City Court said Girkin was found guilty of "public calls to carry out extremist activities", further adding that the 53-year-old would serve his sentence of imprisonment in a general regime colony.

"I serve the Fatherland!" Girkin yelled out after the verdict was read out.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-daria-trepova-receives-27-year-prison-term-for-killing-pro-war-blogger-683584">Daria Trepova gets 27 jail years for killing pro-war blogger in bombing</a>

<h2>Arrests outside Moscow court</h2>

As per news agency AFP, police had captured three people, with one of them chanting "Freedom for Girkin!" while others held posters with nationalist slogans.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia: Putin's opponent Nadezhdin backs ending Ukraine war | Race to Power

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&nbsp;

Calling the accusations against Girkin "absurd", his wife rebuffed the allegations.

"The accusation is absolutely absurd," Girkin's wife Miroslava Reginskaya said.

"My husband is a hero of the Russian Spring," she added, referring to the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine.

His lawyer, Alexander Molokhov, called the sentence "an ugly judicial act", and&nbsp;said he would&nbsp;appeal against the verdict soon.

Girkin was arrested in 2023 over the charges of "extremism" after months of public attacks on Russian troops.

He had also denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin for not pushing an offensive aggressive enough against Ukraine.

Dubbing Putin "an old idiot", he took to his social media handle and said that the "country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power", before being arrested.

Girkin's detention was considered a prominent example of how Russia was suppressing the nationalist critics.

During his pre-trial custody, he launched a campaign to challenge Putin in the next presidential election scheduled to be held in March.

While in jail, he gave an interview to the Russian media, where he said that the country had "entered a period of acute instability" and faced "imminent catastrophe".

(With inputs from agencies)

Prominent Russian nationalist Igor Girkin was on Thursday (Jan 25) convicted by a Moscow court for inciting extremism and jailed for four years. Girkin, who denied the charges, has strongly condemned President Vladimir Putin for not effectively pursuing the war against Ukraine.

Prominent Russian nationalist Igor Girkin was on Thursday (Jan 25) convicted by a Moscow court for inciting extremism and jailed for four years. Girkin, who denied the charges, has strongly condemned President Vladimir Putin for not effectively pursuing the war against Ukraine. He reportedly had also actively contributed towards instigating the conflict between Kremlin-backed separatists and Kyiv's armed forces in Ukraine's Donbas region in the year 2014. Moscow City Court said Girkin was found guilty of "public calls to carry out extremist activities", further adding that the 53-year-old would serve his sentence of imprisonment in a general regime colony. "I serve the Fatherland!" Girkin yelled out after the verdict was read out. Also read: Daria Trepova gets 27 jail years for killing pro-war blogger in bombing Arrests outside Moscow court As per news agency AFP, police had captured three people, with one of them chanting "Freedom for Girkin!" while others held posters with nationalist slogans. WATCH | Russia: Putin's opponent Nadezhdin backs ending Ukraine war | Race to Power × Calling the accusations against Girkin "absurd", his wife rebuffed the allegations. "The accusation is absolutely absurd," Girkin's wife Miroslava Reginskaya said. "My husband is a hero of the Russian Spring," she added, referring to the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine. His lawyer, Alexander Molokhov, called the sentence "an ugly judicial act", and said he would appeal against the verdict soon. Girkin was arrested in 2023 over the charges of "extremism" after months of public attacks on Russian troops. He had also denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin for not pushing an offensive aggressive enough against Ukraine. Dubbing Putin "an old idiot", he took to his social media handle and said that the "country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power", before being arrested. Girkin's detention was considered a prominent example of how Russia was suppressing the nationalist critics. During his pre-trial custody, he launched a campaign to challenge Putin in the next presidential election scheduled to be held in March. While in jail, he gave an interview to the Russian media, where he said that the country had "entered a period of acute instability" and faced "imminent catastrophe". (With inputs from agencies)

Russia jails ultra-nationalist Putin critic Igor Girkin for four years over 'extremism' charges

Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia.&nbsp;

Sobchak is&nbsp;the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor. She is reportedly Putins' goddaughter. Her father, the late Saint Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's boss.&nbsp;

Sobchak is a popular media personality who even stood in opposition to Putin in the 2018 elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-mobilisation-chief-found-dead-in-suspicious-circumstances-525836">Also read | Putin's mobilisation chief found dead under 'suspicious circumstances'</a>

A Lithuanian official in conversation with AFP confirmed Sobchak's arrival.&nbsp;Lithuania had earlier barred Russians from entering the borders amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia's news agency TASS reported that the 40-year-old journalist departed from Moscow at night, and flew to Lithuania via Belarus.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-way-flight-tickets-from-russia-increase-by-27-amid-putins-mobilisation-call-522317">Also read |&nbsp;One-way flight tickets from Russia increase by 27% amid Putin's mobilisation call&nbsp;</a>

Her media group, Attention Media has been under constant pressure from the government. The commercial director of the group, Kirill Sukhanov was earlier arrested by the government during an investigation. Sobchak's villa&nbsp;was also searched thoroughly during the investigation.&nbsp;

This is not the first time any Russian has fled the country. Ever since the invasion of Ukraine and the announcement of mobilisation a few weeks back, thousands of Russians have fled the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia. Sobchak is the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor.

Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia. Sobchak is the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor. She is reportedly Putins' goddaughter. Her father, the late Saint Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's boss. Sobchak is a popular media personality who even stood in opposition to Putin in the 2018 elections. Also read | Putin's mobilisation chief found dead under 'suspicious circumstances' A Lithuanian official in conversation with AFP confirmed Sobchak's arrival. Lithuania had earlier barred Russians from entering the borders amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia's news agency TASS reported that the 40-year-old journalist departed from Moscow at night, and flew to Lithuania via Belarus. Also read | One-way flight tickets from Russia increase by 27% amid Putin's mobilisation call Her media group, Attention Media has been under constant pressure from the government. The commercial director of the group, Kirill Sukhanov was earlier arrested by the government during an investigation. Sobchak's villa was also searched thoroughly during the investigation. This is not the first time any Russian has fled the country. Ever since the invasion of Ukraine and the announcement of mobilisation a few weeks back, thousands of Russians have fled the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Putin's goddaughter and renowned Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak flees to Lithuania 

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans on Saturday to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti and said it will take place in the evening. Peskov added that “the presidents will decide themselves” how long the conversation will last.

The leaders will reportedly discuss the implementation of agreements reached during their previous meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the situations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya and Syria, as well as the Ukrainian crisis.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-prepares-plan-to-protect-ukraine-putin-slams-drone-deployment-at-border-433950">Biden prepares plan to protect Ukraine; Putin slams drone deployment at border</a>

Putin and Biden are also expected to cover strategic stability issues, and the Russian side will ask for guarantees against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastward expansion, Ushakov said.

The Russian official said that the oil market, climate change, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could also be on the agenda.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-will-happen-if-russian-troops-invade-ukraine-431684">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine?&nbsp;</a>

The United States, its NATO allies and Ukraine are accusing Moscow of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border, and Kyiv says it fears Russia is planning an attack.

However, Moscow denies plans to invade Ukraine, and accuses Kyiv of building up its own forces to attack territory held by pro-Russian separatists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-russia-tested-s-400-missiles-in-crimea-amid-operation-sea-breeze-in-ukraine-395351">Also Read:&nbsp;Why Russia tested S-400 missiles in Crimea amid operation Sea Breeze in Ukraine</a>

Russia has been pushing for top-level talks with the US for weeks and has floated the idea of seeking legally-binding security guarantees from the West.

Earlier, Ukraine's defence minister declared that Russia was ready for escalation in January raising fears of an invasion while informing that the Putin regime had launched exercises along the border and had started "winter training".

The Biden administration had declared earlier that it had evidence that Russia was set to attack Ukraine despite Kremlin's denial.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border.

US President Joe Biden and Russian counterpart will be holding talks via video call on Tuesday, according to media reports, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-powered countries over reports of Russia troops build-up near the Ukrainian border. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans on Saturday to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti and said it will take place in the evening. Peskov added that “the presidents will decide themselves” how long the conversation will last. The leaders will reportedly discuss the implementation of agreements reached during their previous meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, the situations in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya and Syria, as well as the Ukrainian crisis. Also read | Biden prepares plan to protect Ukraine; Putin slams drone deployment at border Putin and Biden are also expected to cover strategic stability issues, and the Russian side will ask for guarantees against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastward expansion, Ushakov said. The Russian official said that the oil market, climate change, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic could also be on the agenda. Also Read in Pics: What will happen if Russian troops invade Ukraine? The United States, its NATO allies and Ukraine are accusing Moscow of amassing troops near the Ukrainian border, and Kyiv says it fears Russia is planning an attack. However, Moscow denies plans to invade Ukraine, and accuses Kyiv of building up its own forces to attack territory held by pro-Russian separatists. Also Read: Why Russia tested S-400 missiles in Crimea amid operation Sea Breeze in Ukraine Russia has been pushing for top-level talks with the US for weeks and has floated the idea of seeking legally-binding security guarantees from the West. Earlier, Ukraine's defence minister declared that Russia was ready for escalation in January raising fears of an invasion while informing that the Putin regime had launched exercises along the border and had started "winter training". The Biden administration had declared earlier that it had evidence that Russia was set to attack Ukraine despite Kremlin's denial. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden, Putin all set for video meet on Tuesday amid Ukraine crisis

A Russian court jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Tuesday (February 2), ignoring the West in a ruling the opposition politician blamed on President Vladimir Putin's personal hatred and fear of him.

Audio of Navalny's speech calling Putin 'the Underwear Poisoner' before being jailed

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