Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use depleted uranium shells in Ukraine if Kiev receives similar munitions from the West, and has also announced Moscow's intention to deploy "tactical" nuclear weapons on the territory of its ally Belarus.

In a television interview broadcast on state television on Saturday, Putin said: "Russia, of course, has a response. We have, without exaggeration, hundreds of thousands of missiles of this type (depleted uranium), which we do not use at present."

Putin justified the decision by London's intention to send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine, according to recent statements by a British official. Putin has vowed to use this type of missile if Kiev receives similar munitions from Westerners.

The Russian president said these weapons "can be classified as the most harmful and dangerous to humans as well as to the environment."

Depleted uranium munitions are very effective at penetrating armored plates, but their use is controversial. This metal is toxic to soldiers using weapons and to civilians in the areas from which they are launched.

Britain's deputy defence secretary, Annabelle Goldie, indicated last week that the UK planned to supply Ukraine with missiles "containing depleted uranium".

"This munition is very effective at destroying modern tanks and armoured vehicles," it said, angering Moscow, which has vowed to retaliate if it happens.

Tactical nuclear weapons

In a related context, the Russian president announced that Moscow will deploy "tactical" nuclear weapons on the territory of neighboring Belarus, an ally country located at the gates of the European Union.

Putin has repeatedly made veiled threats that he could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, raising fears of a return to the Cold War.

"Nothing unusual here: the United States has been doing this for decades. It has long deployed its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its allies." "We agreed to do the same," he said, confirming Minsk's approval.

Putin and Russian officials have repeatedly hinted at the possibility of using nuclear weapons according to their country's nuclear doctrine

"We have already helped our Belarusian colleagues and prepared their planes," he said. without violating our international obligations on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Ten planes are ready to use this type of weapon."

"From April 3, we will start training teams. On the first of July, we will complete the construction of a special depot for tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus."

Putin has previously said nuclear tensions are "increasing" in the world but stressed that Moscow would not use the weapons first.

Zaporizhia Station

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced on Saturday that he would visit Ukraine's Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control, this week to assess the serious security situation there.

Grossi is pushing for a security zone around Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which has six reactors. The station has been bombed repeatedly in recent months.

IAEA Director General to make second visit to Zaporizhia plant since war began (European)

It will be Grossi's second visit to the station. Last September, Grossi went there, where he established a permanent presence of his agency's experts.

Russian forces took control of this station at the beginning of their offensive on Ukraine, and it remains near the front line. The two sides blame each other for the bombing.

"The situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant remains precarious," Grossi said in a statement, adding that he wanted to "make a direct assessment of the serious nuclear safety and security situation at this facility."

This month, he called for a protection zone around the plant, saying he was "surprised by the inaction" on the issue.

The Zaporizhia plant in southern Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the 10 largest nuclear power plants in the world.

Diplomatic efforts

With nuclear talk and battles stalled in Ukraine, several parties are trying to revive diplomatic efforts. According to the Turkish presidency, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured Putin in a telephone conversation that he attaches importance to ending conflicts between Russia and Ukraine through negotiations as soon as possible.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had not received any offer from China for mediation and dialogue or to meet with the Chinese leader.

Beijing proposed a 12-point peace plan in February, but Kiev insists on a full withdrawal of Russian troops and has promoted its own plan in recent months.