Russian strategic missile forces placed on high alert after Putin order -Ifax cites defence ministry

(Reuters) – Russia’s defence ministry on Monday said its strategic missile forces and Northern and Pacific fleets had been placed on enhanced combat duty, the Interfax news agency reported, in line with an order from President Vladimir Putin.

© Reuters/SPUTNIK
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the construction site of the National Space Agency in Moscow

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin that “shifts on duty at the command posts of the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, and the Long-Range Aviation Command began to carry out combat duty with reinforced personnel”, Interfax quoted the ministry as saying.

(Reporting by Reuters in Moscow; Editing by Jon Boyle)