Russia will not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, foreign ministry spokesperson Alexei Zaitsev said, accusing those who suggested Moscow might launch a nuclear strike of "deliberate lies".
Zaitsev told reporters the use of nuclear weapons by Russia - a risk that Western officials have publicly discussed - was not applicable to special military operation in Ukraine.
"Russia firmly adheres to the principle that there can be no winners in a nuclear war, and it must not be unleashed," Zaitsev said.