Foreign Secretary warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine

There would be “severe consequences” for Russia if its leaders chose to use a nuclear weapon in the war with Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary has said.

James Cleverly issued the warning in the Commons after suggestions that Moscow may attempt to escalate the conflict.

Mr Cleverly also suggested Russian president Vladimir Putin is “exacting vengeance” on civilians in Ukraine and in low-income countries around the world for his “military failures”, by targeting power stations and pulling out of a vital grain export deal.

His statement comes as newly-released British intelligence suggests that many of the soldiers Russia has deployed to the front line in Ukraine in recent weeks are “poorly equipped”, possibly with arms in a “barely usable” condition.