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The PM has been taking a tough line against Vladimir Putin as Moscow and the UK clash over the poisoning of spy Sergei Skripal and air strikes carried out in Syria in response to a chemical attack.

Fears of war were raised as Russia warned Britain not to threaten a “nuclear power”.

And military chiefs have warned there is a “real risk” of war sparked by Vladimir Putin.

Britain’s main nuclear weapons are the Trident missile armed Vanguard submarines operated by the Royal Navy.

Mrs May has previously been very clear that she is prepared to use nuclear weapons if Britain enters into a war with Russia.

Speaking just weeks into her premiership back in 2016, the PM told the House of Commons she has no qualms about launching a nuclear strike.

Even if that strike would kill “one hundred thousand innocent men, women and children”.

Mrs May was firm in her stance, saying there was no point in having nuclear weapons if the UK was not prepared to use them in war.

(Image: HOC) (Image: GETTY)

She said: “The whole point of a deterrent is that our enemies need to know that we would be prepared to use it.

“Unlike some suggestions that we could have a deterrent but not actually be willing to use it.”

Britain has a “continuous” deterrent at sea with at least one Vanguard sub constantly on patrol – and has a nuclear stockpile of up to 120 usable warheads.

Responding to further questions directly about Russia during the House of Commons debate, Mrs May laid down the importance of the UK’s nukes.

She said: “Russia is also modernising its nuclear capability and it would a dereliction of our duty – in terms of our responsibility to the safety and security of British people – to give up our nuclear deterrent.”

This year Putin revealed Russia has new nuclear weapons that he boasted the West could not compete with – including hypersonic nuke the Satan 2.

(Image: GETTY)

Relations between Britain and Russia have plunged following the poisoning of MI6 double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia, 33, in Salisbury.

Russia even accused Britain of being behind the horrific chemical attack in Douma, an assertion branded "absurd" by London.

Mrs May has announced a raft of sanctions including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and the suspension of high level contact with Moscow.

Russia denies any involvement, and has accused Britain of a “cover-up” over Skripal.