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Vladimir Putin has said it is "stupid" to think Russia wants to attack anyone in Europe.

The Russian president made the statement at thew Valdai Club where he added: "Russia values its independence and own identity.

"We don't want world domination or expansion or confrontation with anyone."

In thinly-veiled attacks on western democracies, Putin added: "We have seen some countries pushing globalisation serving only them, but not all countries.

"Convenient for some countries to paint themselves as defenders of civilisation and bend allies [to their will]."

According to Russia Today, the leader hinted that some western countries were using a perceived threat of attack from Russia to divert their people from domestic issues.

He made the comments as footage showed Russian frogmen preparing for underwater warfare amid escalating fears Putin is plotting a war.

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Putin's Special Operations Forces can now parachute in with specialised equipment that allows them to swim at 15kmph - up to 30 metres below the surface.

The Russian Spetsnaz Navy's equipment comes with a removable autonomous navigation system, compass and sonar that can cruises for up to 3 hours.

(Image: Tvzvezda) (Image: Tvzvezda)

Combat divers are armed with night vision goggles and underwater submachine guns APS and SPP-1, which can send bullets several metres through the water, according to Russian website tvzvezda.ru.

Earlier footage of secret drills showed Russian force’s carrying out a staged siege by a fictitious enemy that captured a naval base and planted mines in one of the ships.

The troops cleared the area of explosives while using their amphibious weapon, a 5.66 calibre APS assault rifle, which can be fired on land and in the water.

(Image: Tvzvezda) (Image: Tvzvezda)

Footage surfaced just days after Russian forces were seen in British waters, sailing their aircraft carrier through the North Sea and English Channel.

The massive aircraft carrier, thought to be the Admiral Kuznetsov, was seen belching smoke as it passed by Britain in a move seen as provocative.

It was so close it could be seen from The White Cliffs of Dover.

But Downing Street denied Russia's show of strength showed how Britain was “weak”.

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(Image: Dover Marina.com)

A Number 10 spokesman said: “I would reject suggestions that the Russians feel we’re too weak. Clearly we are not weak at all."

The ship was marked by the Royal Navy, which kept a close watch on the foreign vessel.

At the same time, two other Russian corvettes, which were travelling north towards the UK from the direction of Portugal, were also watched by the Navy.

(Image: Youtube/Ruptly)

Two Royal Navy destroyers were sent to meet them with a Ministry of Defence spokesman confirming it planned to "man-mark them every step of the way".

The recent video is another reminder of tension between Putin's and western forces as NATO plans to send hundreds of troops to the Russian border.

A total of 800 troops, drones and tanks are moving to Estonia as part of the biggest military build up of NATO troops on Russia's borders since the Cold War.

(Image: Youtube/Ruptly)

(Image: Getty)

It comes after an increase in tensions between the West and Russia in recent months.

On Tuesday Russia deployed an advanced hypersonic glider warhead in preparation for the launch of its new ‘Satan 2’ super-nuke which could destroy Texas with a single strike.

The 'Object 4202' rocket was fired thousands of miles from Yasny to the far-east peninsula of Kamchatka with Kremlin officials hailing the test a "success".

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(Image: Dover Marina.com)

Earlier this month, 40 million Russians reportedly carried out nuclear evacuation tests after officials warned that the West wanted to launch strikes on the country.

In the video, crews in protective suits and gas masks can be seen participating in the four-day exercise alongside members of the public.

The drills - held in the country earlier this month - reportedly included a staggering 200,000 rescue 'specialists' and nearly 50,000 vehicles.

The exercise by the Kremlin's Ministry of Emergency Situations took place after officials warned that the West wanted to launch strikes on the country.

NATO is now pressing allies including the US and Britain to contribute to the military presence as the alliance prepares for a long quarrel with Moscow.