Russia warns West of 'nuclear collision'

VLADIMIR Putin threatened to "respond" to Britain's plan to give Ukraine ammunition that contains depleted uranium as Moscow warned "nuclear collision" with the West was closer.

- Mark Reynolds

Speaking alongside China's President Xi Jinping in Moscow yesterday, the Russian leader noted Challenger 2 battle tanks include armour-piercing rounds that contain depleted uranium.

He claimed the move showed the West was switching to supplying Kyiv with weapons containing nuclear components - warning that Moscow would be "forced to react" if the UK does deliver 14 of the next-generation battle tanks.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu joined the sabre-rattling by warning of a "nuclear collision", saying: "Another step has been taken, and there are fewer and fewer left. Naturally, Russia has something to answer this with."