VLADIMIR Putin says genetically-modified super soldiers “worse than a nuclear bomb” could soon become a reality.

The strongman Russian President spoke to a crowd of students about the prospect of an army of trained killers incapable of feeling “pain or fear” much like the characters in the 1992 action movie Universal Soldier.

The Sun reports Putin revealed that scientists are close to breaking the genetic code which would enable them to create “a human with pre-designed characteristics”.

Speaking at the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi, Putin warned of the consequences of playing God with man’s genetic code, reports The Express.

He said: “A man has the opportunity to get into the genetic code created by either nature, or as religious people would say, by the God.

“All kinds of practical consequences may follow. One may imagine that a man can create a man not only theoretically but also practically.

“He can be a genius mathematician, a brilliant musician or a soldier, a man who can fight without fear, compassion, regret or pain.

“As you understand, humanity can enter, and most likely it will in the near future, a very difficult and very responsible period of its existence.

“What I have just described might be worse than a nuclear bomb.”

The autocrat warned that world leaders must agree on regulations to control the creation of mass-killing super soldiers.

He said: “When we do something, whatever we do, I want to reiterate it again — we must never forget about the ethical foundations of our work.”

Last month, Putin revealed he is afraid humans in the future will be hunted and eaten alive by flesh-munching robots.

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The infamously icy-veined Russian leader showed his more anxious side while discussing artificial intelligence (AI) at an event in Moscow.

Former KGB spy Putin asked Arkady Volozh, chief of internet firm Yandex, when the technology will “eat us”, reports RT.

Mr Volozh, who was giving Putin a tour of the company’s headquarters, appeared to be taken aback by the question.

At first he replied: “I hope never.”

But after a pause, he used the analogy of excavators and explained that they are better at digging than people.

The computer boffin then said: “But we don’t get eaten by excavators.”

Yet Putin dismissed this comment by adding: “They don’t think.”

Earlier this month, the Russian President said that AI was “the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind.”

While saying the burgeoning technology had “colossal opportunities”, Putin added “whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.”

And keen to avoid a Cold War-style arms race, the Russian President claimed he would share his country’s “know-how” with other nations.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission.