Russia issues chilling nuke warning as Finland’s entry into Nato TODAY takes bloc just 78 miles from Putin’s home city

RUSSIA has issued a chilling nuclear warning as Finland is officially joining Nato today. Moscow’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Belarusian military aircraft have been upgraded to launch nuclear strikes. AFPFinland is becoming Nato’s 31st member today[/caption] EPADefence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Belarusian aircraft has now been upgraded to carry nuclear warheads[/caption] APFinland’s historic entry into the military alliance is taking place today[/caption] He told a press conference: “Some of the Belarusian ground attack aircraft have gained the ability to strike at enemy targets with nuclear-armed weapons. He said that some Belarusian military jets were now capable of carrying nuclear warheads and that Iskander rocket systems had been transferred to Belarus, which could be used to carry conventional or nuclear missiles. Shoigu also said that Finland’s entry into the military alliance and Nato‘s move to increase its combat readiness has increased the risk of conflict. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Finland’s membership reflects the alliance’s anti-Russian course and warned that Moscow will respond depending on what weapons Nato allies place there. “We will closely monitor what will be going on in Finland and how Nato will use the territory of Finland for the deployment of weapons, equipment and infrastructure next to our border that would potentially threaten us. “Measures will be taken dependent on that,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. The stark message comes on the same day as Finland’s historic entry into Nato. Finland becoming the 31st member of the military alliance is a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the secretary general of Nato Jens Stoltenberg said before adding that Sweden will also become a full-fledged member. Finnish and Nato flags fluttered at the courtyard of the Foreign Ministry in Helsinki, Finland, ahead of accession to Nato- a heavy blow to Vladimir Putin. The country’s Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen told public broadcaster YLE on arriving in Brussels: “Until now, we have defended our country alone. “From now on, we can rely on getting outside help should things get tough. And of course, we are ready to help should someone be in trouble.” Finland’s accession to Nato ends decades of the country’s military non-alignment. The long-awaited admission comes after both Finland and Sweden applied to join the alliance almost 12 months ago. It was hampered by a refusal to ratify the application by Hungary and Turkey, both of whom relented last week. The move will roughly double the West’s transatlantic frontier facing Moscow as Finland and Russia share a painful 810-mile border with one another. Nato’s move has angered Russia which vowed to “strengthen our military potential in the western and northwestern direction”. Alexander Grushko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, told state media Nato’s expansion called for “additional steps to reliably ensure Russia’s military security.” The mounting pressure from Nato became the main topic of Russia’s TV program 60 Minutes and was lambasted by pundits. Dmitry Abzalov said the situation involving Finland was a “mess” and “already out of our hands”. Olga Skabeyeva, Russia-1 host, went a step further and claimed the Finnish territory as “our historical land” and called for Russia to take action over Finland’s looming membership. She said: “We have to liberate the brotherly Finnish people.” It follows last year’s claims that the Kremlin would take “adequate countermeasures” and would send 12 units and divisions to its western military district. Despite the hostile warning, Finland is expected to join the alliance today – which has been hailed by the Nato chief. Finland will become the sixth Nato nation to share a border with Russia, joining Norway, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. The Finnish contribution will add more than 257,000 troops to the combined forces. Finland’s Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen arrived in Brussels todayRex