Vladimir Putin news LATEST: Tyrant threatens West with WMD as he partially mobilises troops to ‘protect sovereignty’

VLADIMIR Putin has partially mobilised the Russian Federation army troops in an escalation of the war in Ukraine – and warned the West he would hit back. Russian media speculated that he would speak to Russians on Tuesday evening, defending his forced referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine, however this was cancelled with no reason given. However, at 7am BST Putin finally spoke – and warned his nation would “protect its sovereignty”. He also warned he would partially mobilise troops – which would include conscripting Russians to join the Ukraine war. He said: “I stress it is partial mobilisation. Only those who are in reserve will be conscripted,” he says, with it beginning today. Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest udpates…