Putin Warns West Of Nuclear War Risk

Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the spectre of nuclear war in his annual state of the nation address (Credit: AFP)

President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday of a "real" risk of nuclear war if the West escalates the conflict in Ukraine.

In a defiant speech in Moscow, the Russian leader said his soldiers were advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of "tragic consequences" for any country that dared to send troops to Kyiv.