Joe Biden warns Putin against using nuclear weapons as Russian forces beaten back in Ukraine
JOE Biden has warned Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin against using any chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
The US President told him such action would “change the face of war unlike anything since World War Two”.
His comments come as Putin, who put his country’s nuclear forces on special alert in February, looks for ways to turn the tide in Ukraine, where his forces are being beaten back.
In an interview with US TV show 60 Minutes in the White House, Mr Biden was asked what he would say to Mad Vlad, above, if he was considering using weapons of mass destruction.
He replied: “Don’t, don’t, don’t. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War Two.”
Asked what the consequences would be for Russia if he did, the President said: “It’ll be consequential. They’ll become more of a pariah in the world than they ever have been.
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“And depending on the extent of what they do will determine what response would occur.”
Ukraine says it has recaptured more than 3,000 square miles of territory in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
But with Putin facing military humiliation, fears are growing he will look to Russia’s 6,000 nuclear warheads.
In particular, he might turn to tactical nuclear weapons — designed to be used at relatively short distances as opposed to long-range strategic versions.
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Mass graves and minefields have been left behind around the city of Izyum by the fleeing Russian forces.
But the Ministry of Defence believes the invaders are now setting up a new defensive line to keep vital supply lines open.
It said it was likely to be between the Oskil river and Svatove, 90 miles south east of Kharkiv, which is Ukraine’s second-largest city.
To help rebuild the Russian forces, more than 28,000 prisoners have reportedly been freed to fight.
The figure is far higher than previous estimates and equates to five per cent of all male inmates in Russia.
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The lag recruits are said to be given around two weeks’ training before being dispatched to the front line.
But rich prisoners have paid £33million in bribes to be let out without enlisting.
