Nuclear-capable Kalibr missiles to attack Ukraine have been seen being loaded onto a Russian submarine in chilling photographs.
The Veliky Novgorod submarine was in a dock in Sevastopol, Crimea, according to Ukraine Now Telegram channel.
It said: "Russian Kalibr-type cruise missiles were loaded onto the Veliky Novgorod diesel-electric submarine - the very ones bombing the peaceful cities of Ukraine."
Russia showed off a massive intercontinental missile during preparations for its Victory Day ceremony next month by which time Vladimir Putin will want to announce the "success" of the Ukraine invasion.
Tensions continued last week when the Kremlin leader also bragged about the country's "unstoppable" Satan 2 ballistic missile which could raze an area the size of the UK to the ground.
It is understood that the loading of the submarine took place several days ago ahead of a mission in the Black Sea.
Ukraine's Yug operation command said: “By blocking shipping, conducting surface situation detection and aerial reconnaissance, [the Russians] continue to carry the threat of a missile attack on almost the entire territory of Ukraine."
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has boasted that deployment in Syria from the Caspian Sea “confirmed a high effectiveness of the missiles at major distances of nearly 932 miles”.
The Kalibr can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
Conventional warheads are believed to be on the pier where the submarine is tethered in Sevastopol, in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
The Kalibr has been used in the current war to target Ukraine.
But the missile is prone to misfiring as seen last year from a warship on Russia ’s Pacific coast.
A video showed how a missile fired from frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov rose, and rotated alarmingly before crashing into the sea.
A voice of an officer making the film from the air is heard saying “Look, the sea is burning”.
Eventually the Kalibr missile burned out in the Pacific Ocean, as the warship sped away.
A recent Russian missile strike from a Tu-95 strategic bomber over the Caspian Sea killed a three month old girl, Kira, in Odessa. Her mother and grandmother were also killed.
Following a ballistic missile launch on Wednesday, Putin issued a chilling warning to the West as he boasted of a "big, significant event" for Russian defence.
The dictator referred to the Sarmat ICBMs ballistic missile which could be launched by this autumn, with the ability to travel 11,000 miles and carry 10 or more nuclear warheads.
"The missile can break through all modern anti-missile defences," he said.
"There is nothing like this anywhere in the world, and won't be for a long time."
Putin also announced that the Sarmat will "ensure Russia's security from external threats and make those who try to threaten our country with aggressive rhetoric think twice."
