Vladimir Putin’s nuclear bombers have been spotted in the skies over western Russia following the sinking of his warship in the Black Sea.
Footage shows four Russian Tu-95s, known as Bears, flying in the Kaluga region, within striking distance of Ukraine.
Moscow has previously used long-range bombers to strike Kyiv with non-nuclear cruise missiles.
But it’s feared the Russian president may escalate his attacks after Ukrainian missiles reportedly destroyed his flagship Moskva.
The Black Sea missile cruiser was a huge force in Putin’s naval front, battering the port cities of Odesa and Mariupol.
His cronies claimed it sank on stormy seas after a fire caused by exploding ammunition – but Ukraine says it was brought down with two Neptune missiles.
An image has also emerged claiming to show Moskva’s last moments.
![METRO GRAPHICS Kaluga-Moscow location map, Russia, Ukraine](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SEI_99411712.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=644%2C387)
![(Picture: Twitter)](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SEI_99400373.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C466)
![Russian ship Moskva (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SEI_99400410.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C338)
Black smoke is seen pouring from the sinking vessel, with what appears to be lifeboats in the sea.
A source told Russian media the ship sank shortly after these pictures were taken.
If genuine, it was likely captured from a nearby Turkish ship, rumoured to have rescued 54 men.
There is speculation hundreds may have died onboard amid a virtual news blackout from the Kremlin propaganda machine.