Vladimir Putin news LATEST: World leaders SLAM tyrant’s ‘reckless nuclear threats’ as he conscripts 300,000 troops

VLADIMIR Putin has conscripted 300k troops in an escalation of the Ukraine war as the West condemned his “reckless nuclear threats”. Following previous delays, at 7am BST Putin finally spoke – and warned his nation would “protect its sovereignty”. The despot also reminded the West that Russia has modern weapons of destruction, saying: “I am not bluffing.” He also confirmed Russia would trigger a “partial mobilisation” consisting of reserve troops – all of which will be conscripted to join the Ukraine war – after saying the West had “crossed the line”. He said: “I stress it is partial-mobilisation. Only those who are in reserve will be conscripted.” The terrifying broadcast had prompted world leaders to react, with Joe Biden accusing Putin of attempting “to erase a sovereign state from the map” in a mission that’s aim is “extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, plain and simple”. Read our Ukraine-Russia live blog below for the latest udpates…