Russia-Ukraine war live: Russia claims it has rehearsed ability to deliver retaliatory nuclear strike

Defence minister's comments come after earlier announcement of plans to withdraw from global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests

In its latest intelligence update, the UK's Ministry of Defence highlighted Russia's capability to strike targets near the Dnipro River with artillery.

As in most sectors, a decisive factor is almost certainly the combatants' ability to bring accurate, intense artillery fire to bear. Initial indication suggests that Russia has maintained a significant artillery capability within range of the river," it stated.