Vladimir Putin is sending tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus on the NATO border to significantly escalate tensions in Ukraine

VLADIMIR Putin sends tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus’ border with NATO, leading to a major escalation of tensions around Ukraine.

The Russian President today said he would not violate the non-proliferation agreements after the two countries reached an agreement.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has long raised the issue of stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which borders Poland, Putin told state television.

“Again, there is nothing unusual: First, the United States has been doing this for decades. They have long stationed their tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allied countries,” he said.

“We agreed to do the same – without violating our commitments, I stress, without violating our international non-proliferation commitments.”

Russia will complete construction of a tactical nuclear weapons storage facility in Belarus by July 1, Putin said, adding that Moscow will not actually transfer control of the weapons to Minsk.

Russia has stationed 10 aircraft in Belarus that could carry tactical nuclear weapons, he said, adding that Moscow has already transferred to Belarus a number of Iskander tactical missile systems that could be used to launch nuclear weapons.

It comes after Russia warned Britain of plans to potentially arm Ukraine with tank shells containing depleted uranium.

Moscow is furious about the plan – with one of Putin’s officials denouncing it as “genocide” and another warning of a “nuclear collision”.

“This is a step towards further escalation, and a serious one at that,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

He added that using such munitions would severely limit Ukraine’s ability to “produce high-quality, uncontaminated food.”

It came after Putin vowed that Russia would be “forced to respond” to any such moves by the UK.

And now, nuclear-capable bombers are active over Europe, with incredible footage showing a B-52 flanked by six NATO fighter jets.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has also issued a warning to Britain.

“Only one thing can be said here: there aren’t that many levels, one more level has been crossed, and the number is getting fewer and fewer,” Shoigu said.

When asked if that meant the world was closer to a nuclear collision, he replied: “It was no coincidence that I told you about steps.

“It’s getting fewer and fewer.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also hit back, accusing Britain of “genocide”.

“The use of depleted uranium munitions is a manifestation of genocide against the populations they are used against and the people who use them,” she said.

Depleted uranium is a by-product of the nuclear enrichment process used to make nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons. It is about 60 percent as radioactive as natural uranium.

Its heaviness lends itself to use in armor-piercing rounds, as it helps them penetrate steel easily.

The United Nations Environment Program has labeled it a “chemically and radiologically toxic heavy metal.”

Earlier this month, a Russian fighter jet intercepted two US nuclear bombers.

Footage captured by the Su-35 shows it flying alongside one of two massive B-52s while Russian Tu-95 Bear nuclear bombers took off in a show of force.

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