Ukraine has warned that Russian missiles and drones have repeatedly flown on trajectories close to the Chornobyl nuclear site, raising concerns over a potential major nuclear incident.

Editor’s note: Moses Becker is a special political commentator for News.Az. He holds a PhD in political science and specializes in interethnic and interreligious relations. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the position of News.Az.

Iran has declared that it will not resume negotiations over its nuclear program while under attack, just hours after Israel's defense minister warned of a "prolonged" conflict with the Islamic Republic.

Once there is a sufficient amount of Oreshnik missiles, Russia will no longer consider the use of nuclear weapons, President Vladimir Putin said, addressing a meeting of the Council on Civil Society and Human Rights, News.az reports citing TASS.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an updated national nuclear doctrine that broadens the circumstances under which Moscow could use nuclear weapons. The revision makes it easier for Russia to justify retaliating against a NATO member state for providing assistance to Ukraine, News.azreports citing Politico.

Russian President Putin has initiated a nuclear exercise today featuring "practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles," News.Az reports citing RIA Novosti.

Vladimir Putin's options to retaliate if the West lets Ukraine use its long-range missiles to strike Russia could include striking British military assets near Russia or, in extremis, conducting a nuclear test to show intent, three analysts said, News.Az reports citing Reuters.

Russia does not rule out deploying nuclear missiles in response to US plans to station long-range cruise missiles in Germany, News.Az reports citing foreign media.