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Russia's Defence Ministry says nuclear-capable ballistic missiles have entered active service after being moved into Belarus - a close ally of Russia which neighbours three NATO countries.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has previously said his country would host up to 10 of the mobile intermediate-range Oreshnik missiles, capable of striking all parts of Europe.
Russia's defence ministry has distributed this video purporting to show the weapons being moved.
"The missile system started combat duty in time. The units have been trained and crews are prepared."
The footage features an unnamed Russian military commander, and shots that appear to show the missiles being installed in a forested area and covered with camouflage.
"We are expanding into new combat patrol areas and conducting reconnaissance of new areas. Scheduled exercises are conducted in accordance with assigned tasks. Combat training, tactical training, and special tactical training are held daily and weekly. The personnel have already proven their professionalism in action, during scheduled exercises."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed the nuclear-capable weapons are impossible to intercept because they travel at more than 10 times the speed of sound.
Intermediate missiles have a range of up to 5,500 kilometres, which could enable the Oreshnik missiles to strike as far away as the west coast of the United States.
But it's neighbouring NATO countries - including Poland, Lithuania and Latvia - that are likely to be most concerned, given Russian state media claims the missiles can reach an air base in Poland in 11 minutes, and NATO's headquarters in Brussels in 17.
Earlier this month Alexander Lukashenko outlined military plans in connection to the Oreshnik missiles.
"In the event of an escalation of the conflict, armed forces are designated—several tens of thousands of personnel in western Russia—who are to be immediately brought into combat as the second echelon. Belarus goes in first. We must respond. Then Russia supports us. This is precisely what constitutes the regional grouping of forces, including the tactical nuclear weapons that we have returned to Belarus. In addition, the first positions have been equipped with the Oreshnik missile system. It has been with us since yesterday and is entering combat duty."
The deployment follows Russian claims that Ukraine unsuccessfully targeted a residence of President Putin with drones after recent peace talks in the United States.
Ukraine denied it, but Russia has warned the move will change its war strategy.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the alleged attack as terroristic.
"The negotiating position will change, shifting toward a more toughened approach. As for the military consequences, our military knows how, with what, and when to respond."
He said the attack was also targeted at US President Donald Trump, arguing it would frustrate his efforts to guide the peace process.
Mr Trump appeared to believe Russia's claims.
"Yeah, I don't like it. It's not good. I heard about it this morning. You know who told me about it? President Putin told me about it. Early in the morning he said he was attacked. That's no good. It's no good. Because we're talking about, you know, it's a delicate period of time, but this is not the right time. It's one thing to be offensive, because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that. Can't do it."
Ukraine has dismissed the accusation as a disingenuous distraction aimed at derailing the peace talks which had intensified in recent days.
Mr Trump held a meeting in Florida with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside multiple calls with Mr Putin.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker was more circumspect about the alleged palace attack, telling Fox News it's not clear that it actually happened.
"It seems to me a little indelicate to be this close at a peace deal, Ukraine really wanting to get a peace deal done, and then to do something that would be viewed as reckless or not helpful. So we're going to get to the bottom of the intelligence."
Despite the apparent deterioration in trust negotiations continue, as the US and Ukraine say the so-called 20-point peace plan is 90 to 95 per cent agreed.
President Zelenskyy says the US has offered to provide 15 years of security guarantees, but as Mr Whitaker points out, significant issues remain unresolved.
“There are the territory questions (with Russia and Ukraine) and where you draw the line of contact, how much both sides need to pull back from that line of contract, who polices violations of the line of contact. I mean, that's where it gets very complicated, very detail-oriented. And I know teams on both sides are working very hard in the United States, and we're very engaged."
