The former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has said that any weapons in Moscow’s arsenal, including strategic nuclear weapons, could be used to defend territories incorporated into Russia from Ukraine.

He also said that referendums being organised in Ukrainian territory will take place and there is no going back and the protection of all the territories would be significantly strengthened by the Russian armed forces.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin also warned that Moscow would use “all available means” to protect Russia’s “territorial integrity” as he moved to mobilise 300,000 reserve forces to fight in Ukraine.

Russia has announced that not only mobilisation of troops, but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles could be used to defend its territory.