UP IN FLAMES
Huge fire erupts at Russian defence ministry in Moscow as Vladimir Putin holds talks nearby at the Kremlin
A FIRE broke out at Russia's defence ministry as Vladimir Putin held talks just a short distance away at the Kremlin.
Footage shows thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the third-floor windows of the building in Moscow.
3
3
3
Some 50 people were evacuated as flames ripped through the site.
The blaze was at a building known as Apraksin House, which has housed the administrative services of the Russian Ministry of Defence since 1987.
It is close to the headquarters of the defence ministry and is just several hundred yards from the Kremlin.
Putin was holding talks nearby at the Kremlin with Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko - an ally in his war with Ukraine.
More on Russia
The cause of the inferno has not been confirmed.
Some reports said the section on fire was a department of military property dealing with facilities across the country.
The ministry is headed by close Putin ally Sergei Shoigu, and is responsible for Putin’s war in Ukraine.
It comes as Putin welcomed Lukashenko to Moscow on Wednesday for two days of talks.
Most read in The Sun
But in their opening public remarks both despots steered clear of the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week the two leaders would discuss Lukashenko's call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
Last month Putin said Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
Putin told Lukashenko in comments broadcast by state television: "I must say that we have done a lot as a result of our joint work in all areas.
"We will discuss all of this tomorrow - this applies to our cooperation in the international arena and jointly solving questions of ensuring the security of our states."
Putin's puppet Lukashenko issued a chilling warning to the West just days ago saying the Russian tyrant will spark a nuclear World War 3 if he faces defeat in Ukraine.
The dictator said that Russia, which is already sending tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, could also send intercontinental nuclear missiles there as well.
Addressing lawmakers and government officials, Lukashenko said Moscow's plans to station nuclear arms on its territory, would help protect Belarus, which he said was under threat from the West.
He said: "I am not trying to intimidate or blackmail anyone. I want to safeguard the Belarusian state and ensure peace for the Belarusian people."
In a ranting speech, Lukashenko called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, cautioning that Russia would be forced to use "the most terrible weapon" if it felt threatened.
He said: "It is impossible to defeat a nuclear power. If the Russian leadership understands that the situation threatens to cause Russia's disintegration, it will use the most terrible weapon.
"This cannot be allowed."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Topics