President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia's nuclear forces must be ready for a fast response to any aggressor, the state-run RIA news agency reported.
Mr Putin, speaking to top generals less than two weeks before parliamentary elections on December 2nd, said the Nato military alliance had built up its forces close to Russia's borders.
"We cannot allow ourselves to remain indifferent to the obvious 'muscle-flexing'," Mr Putin said.
He said Russia's strategic nuclear forces should be ready to deliver a "swift and adequate response" to any aggressor.