Russia has prepared one if its nuclear weapons for combat just a day after another one was readied. New footage shows a Yars strategic missile being placed in an underground shaft in a Russian military complex.
It comes a day after another Yars missile was manoeuvred into a silo on the same site.
The Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is one of the most deadly weapons with a 7,500-mile range, meaning that it could hit the UK or US.
In the video released by the Russian Defence Ministry, a huge missile is seen being loaded into an underground shaft at the Kozelsky compound around 160 miles southwest of Moscow.
The footage shows the missile being carried on a Yars launch vehicle alongside a heavy military presence.
Footage then shows the missile being lowered into the launch silo and then titled 90 degrees.
It is widely seen as a form of nuclear showboating ahead of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces Day on Saturday.
In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin was filmed watching the launch of a similar Yars missile as part of a mock attack on Britain and the US.
It comes after a pro-Putin MP and military expert called for a nuclear strike on the UK.
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Political scientist Vitaly Tretyakov was sceptical about the General’s sudden call for a nuclear strike.
He said: “So you seriously say that it is necessary to strike London?”
In response, Mr Gurulev said that NATO also wanted to see Ukraine attack the Russian capital.
He said: “Do you seriously think it is necessary to strike Moscow?
“And [Ukraine and the West] are serious about it…
“So why are we embarrassed to say that we should strike London?”