Russian rhetoric has been dialled up in the run-up to President Vladimir Putin’s expected re-election.
Putin reminded the world of Moscow’s nuclear readiness, and military reporters amplified battlefield skirmishes against Ukrainian defenders.
But not all of Putin’s pre-election news coverage went as planned.
Ukraine scored drone attacks against Moscow and Russian oil facilities, and anti-Kremlin fighters made their presence felt on Russian soil.
Putin’s nuclear threat on Wednesday – the second in as many weeks – was measured.
In a pre-recorded television interview he said Russia’s nuclear forces were ready “from a military-technical point of view” and touted them as the most advanced in the world.
