Vladimir Putin makes NUKE threat to ISIS as Russia steps up onslaught

And while he hailed the impact of the missiles used so far, he added that the weapons could be equipped with nuclear warheads.

Interviewed by his defence minister Sergey Shoygu, he said: "With regard to strikes from a submarine, we certainly need to analyse everything that is happening on the battlefield – how the weapons work.

"Both the Kalibr missiles and the KH-101 rockets are generally showing very good results.

"We now see that these are new, modern and highly effective high-precision weapons that can be equipped either with conventional or special nuclear warheads."

He added that the terrorists were not worthy of the weapon at the moment, but said nukes highlighted the strength the Russian armed forces had to call on.

"Naturally, we do not need that in fighting terrorists and I hope we will never need it," he said.

"But overall, this speaks of our significant progress in terms of improving weaponry and equipment being supplied to the Russian army and navy."

Videos released yesterday by the Russian Ministry of Defence showed missiles launched from the Rostov-on-Don in the Mediterranean slamming into the ISIS capital.

Dubbed the "Black Hole" by NATO because of its ability to evade detection, the stealth sub pounded a series of high value targets belong to Islamic State – also known as Daesh.

The attack was accompanied by 60 bombing runs by Russian Tu-22 bombers over the last three days, launched from an airbase in Russia.

While a US official reported that at least 10 cruise missiles had been launched by Putin's surface ships in the Caspian Sea.

Mr Shoygu said the raids had destroyed a munitions depot, a factory manufacturing mortar rounds and terrorist-held oil facilities.

Russia expert Dmitri Trenin, who served for 21 years in Russia's army, said the military hardware deployed showed his country was ready for a protracted fight.

"It's not going to be a short operation, it's not going to be a short war," Trenin said. "Russia is there for a long haul."

As well as heavily arming his forces in Syria, Putin has also deployed state-of-the-art missiles to the Arctic capable of shooting down NATO warplanes.

World powers dispute oil rich areas here. And a new faster route for cargo ships sailing between Asia and Western Europe is opening up as ice melts.

(dailystar.co.uk)