Russia says it is monitoring reports of US nuclear weapons in UK for first time since 2008

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — An F-35A Lightning II is photographed on the flight line at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 30, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Leveille via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service - DVIDS)

MOSCOW  -  Russia said on Tuesday that it detected a rise in international tensions and was monitoring developments after Britain's Times and Telegraph newspapers reported that the United States had stationed nuclear weapons in Britain for the first time since 2008.

Asked about the reports, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We see a line towards escalation of tensions, towards militarisation, including nuclear militarisation."

He added: "Our relevant departments are monitoring developments in this area and formulating tasks to ensure our security against the backdrop of what is happening."

 (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Kevin Liffey // REUTERS)