ONE of Vladimir Putin's allies claimed it would take "just two minutes to nuke Paris" in a fresh threat to France.
The vice-president of the Duma, Pyotr Tolstoy, raised the possibility of sending a nuclear bomb to Paris if French troops rock up in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned that he may send troops to Ukraine's frontline if Putin launches another gruelling march on Kyiv.
He dramatically claimed there should be "no more red lines" for France's involvement, who's army forms part of NATO's global force.
But in response to the threats, Tolstoy has launched one of his own - and in much more dramatic fashion.
In an interview with French network , the politician affirmed that Russia was "calculating" the possibility of a nuclear strike on Paris.
He estimated that a projectile fired from Russia could reach the French capital in “a little more than two minutes.”
“What is important historically for Russia is to ensure the security of the country,” Tolstoy justified. “NATO countries, including France, place missiles around Russian borders."
In a private meeting with opposition leaders at the Elysee Palace, Macron laid out the grounds for stepping into a war which has now raged on for two years.
He showed maps to senior members of the French government which included hotspots where Russia could advance on Odesa or Kyiv, according to French outlet .
In retaliation, however, Tolstoi promised to "kill all French soldiers" who would be deployed in Ukraine.
It isn't the first time that Macron has angered Putin and his cronies, however, having previously claimed that Nato and EU nations could soon deploy troops to the frontline.
That speech sparked a furious response from the Kremlin, prompting Putin to wheel out his army chief who delivered a disturbing warning.
Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky said the brutal war in Ukraine could soon spill over into Europe and ignite the terrifying global conflict experts have warned about.
On Thursday, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed on Telegram that a successful phone call had been held with French military chiefs.
Syrskyi said the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, Army General Thierry Burkar, had been "informed about the situation on the battlefield".
"He (Burkar) thanked the Government of the French Republic and the French people for their constant and consistent support to Ukraine," Syrskyi added.
"Separately, he expressed gratitude for the assistance provided in the training of Ukrainian servicemen on the territory of France."
ON February 24, 2022, Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin launched a brutal and bloody invasion of Ukraine.
Russian forces stormed the border from Belarus in the north, Russia in the east and Crimea in the south - taking over towns, torturing and slaughtering civilians.
Putin dubbed it a "special military operation", to "denazify Ukraine", which in his twisted mind he believes belongs to Russia.
In October 2022, the Kremlin signed treaties annexing the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia from Ukraine - dubbing them part of Russia.
This war is an extension of what Putin started in 2014 when he did the same with Crimea.
Russia's continued and bizarre propaganda throughout serves as a front for two years of brutalising the country and its people.
But while gruelling meat grinder battles are fought on the frontline, Zelensky's Ukrainian forces continue put up an impressive defence.
And Ukraine has vowed to reclaim all of its territory - making some good strides.
In the Black Sea they have taken out several of Putin's key warships and strongholds, but without key fighter jets they lack sufficient air cover.
With a lack of planes, vital ammunition and tanks, Ukraine struggled to meet the goals of its 2023 counteroffensive on land.
The US, Britain and other countries in the West have sent money, supplies, ammo and training to Ukraine in an effort to help.
But concerns continue to rise around the world that the support is not enough and that if Nato don't step up to help push Putin from Ukraine, he will bring war to Europe's doorstep
