Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian Ministry of Defence to conduct a test of non-strategical nuclear weapons.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Russia and the West, the Russian president made the order in response to “Western aggression”.

He added that the exercises were also aimed at protecting Russian sovereignty.

Although an exact date for the test has not been revealed, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the tests would take place “in the near future”.

In a message on Telegram, the Russian MoD said the tests would take place “in response to provocative statements and threats by individual Western officials against the Russian Federation”.

Russian media quoted the Ministry as stating: “On instructions from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions, the General Staff has begun preparations for holding exercises in the near future with missile formations of the Southern Military District with the involvement of aviation, as well as naval forces.”

The explosive order comes just months after Putin signed a law withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests.

At the time, Washington expressed deep concern about Russia's decision, adding that it was a step in the wrong direction.

“Russia's action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement back in November.

Moscow claimed that by withdrawing from the treaty, it was bringing itself closer in line with the US which never ratified the treaty.

It is not clear from today’s statement whether nuclear material will be detonated or whether the tests will focus on the missile delivery system.

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