Russia had earlier accused the UK of being ready to arm Ukraine with a nuclear bomb in order to win the war.

14:01, Tue, Feb 24, 2026 Updated: 14:17, Tue, Feb 24, 2026

RUSSIA-POLITICS

Dmitry Medvedev has issued a chilling World War 3 warning to the UK (Image: Getty)

A staunch ally of Vlaidmir Putin has issued a chilling World War 3 threat, after claims from Russia that the UK was planning to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow could deploy nuclear weapons against the UK, France, and Ukraine. 

If France and the UK provide Kyiv with nuclear weapons technology "to secure more favourable terms" in negotiations to end the war, Russia would be forced to strike, Medvedev said. He argued that the move would "radically change the situation" and violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

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Medvedev said Russia would use non-strategic nuclear weapons. (Image: Getty)

On the fourth anniversary of the war, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council wrote on Telegram that Russia would use non-strategic nuclear weapons "against targets in Ukraine" and "the supplier countries".

He said: "There can be no shadow of a doubt that Russia, under such circumstances, would have to use any means necessary, including non-strategic nuclear weapons, against targets in Ukraine that pose a threat to our country.

"And if necessary, against the supplier countries as well, which would become accomplices in a nuclear conflict with Russia."

This comes after Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed that the UK and Frnce are "actively working" to send nuclear weapons and delivery systems to Ukraine.

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Reportedly under consideration is the the French TN75 small-size warhead from the M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missile, though the SVR provided no evidence to back this up.

Downing Street dismissed the allegation, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman saying: "This is a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract from his heinous actions in Ukraine. There is no truth to this."

Sir Keir Starmer also hit out at Putin for blocking the path to peace and vowed to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.

He said it was a "falsehood" to suggest Russia is winning the conflict, which is costing Putin’s forces tens of thousands of lives every month.