Vladimir Putin's chilling display of 'nuclear briefcase' spotted in his latest threats against the West

It seems Vladimir Putin is never without his 'nuclear briefcase', as he visited a war memorial yesterday 2 February.

Vladimir Putin spotted again with 'nuclear briefcase' in suspected threat to the West
© Contributor / Getty Images
Vladimir Putin spotted again with 'nuclear briefcase' in suspected threat to the West

Vladimir Putin has seemingly been spotted once again with his infamous 'nuclear briefcase' while on a state visit in the southern Russian city of Volgograd. It is believed the presence of the briefcase was a thinly veiled threat to the West.

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Vladimir Putin's 'nuclear briefcase'

On Thursday 2 February, Russian President was in Volgograd to mark the 80th anniversary of Soviet victory over Hitler at the Battle of Stalingrad. Putin made a speech paying tribute to the fallen Soviet soldiers and laid flowers at the Mamayev Kurgan war memorial.

Armed security officers were seen close to the head of the Kremlin carrying two black bags. It is believed one is a fold-up shield to protect the President in case of a shooting, while the other is carrying the 'nuclear briefcase', known as Cheget in Russian.

However, contrary to popular belief, the briefcase doesn’t actually contain a 'red button' for directly launching a nuclear missile, as reported by Newsweek.

Rather, according to various experts, the armoured briefcase contains an emergency broadcast system that allows Putin to transmit launch orders to the central military command of Russia's general staff.

Read more:

Vladimir Putin spotted again with mysterious 'nuclear briefcase', but it's not what you think

Vladimir Putin's right-hand man says Russia can 'press the button' and use nuclear to win war

Read more:Vladimir Putin says the war is a 'tragedy' while announcing nuclear missile will be ready soon

Putin's continued propaganda

In his speech at the memorial, Putin continued relay propaganda about the supposed presence of neo-Nazism in Ukraine, which he uses to justify the war. He also referred to the potential use of German Leopard tanks with crosses painted on their armour, associating them with the actions of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera, who was a Nazi collaborator during World War II.

Accusing the West of aggression, Putin said:

It’s incredible, but it’s a fact: they are threatening us again with German Leopard tanks with crosses painted on their armour.
And they are again going to fight Russia on the territory of Ukraine with the hands of Hitler’s followers, the Banderites.

It comes as Putin is allegedly preparing to launch a new offensive to mark the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, apparently mobilising up to 500,000 soldiers.

Sources used:

- Newsweek: 'How Putin's 'Nuclear Football' Really Works'

- Express: 'Putin brings nuclear football that can launch missiles at any moment to war memorial'

- Mirror: 'Vladimir Putin 'brings nuclear briefcase' on visit in chilling threat to the West'

- The Sun: 'FINGER ON THE BUTTON Putin brings ‘nuclear briefcase’ able to launch Armageddon at ANY moment to war commemoration in chilling taunt to West'

Vladimir Putin hints at nuclear weapon use in latest threat against the West Vladimir Putin hints at nuclear weapon use in latest threat against the West