Russian president Vladimir Putin has overseen a military exercise involving Russia's nuclear forces amid escalating tensions over Ukraine.

UZBEKISTAN yesterday ordered its frontier closed to a mass exodus of refugees fleeing clashes between rival groups in Kyrgyzstan where government forces were accused of helping the slaughter of ethnic Uzbeks.

The Kremlin has said it would not immediately send Russian troops to Kyrgyzstan after the country asked Moscow for military assistance to help quell ethnic violence.

A massive rearmament plan to modernise Russia’s arsenal has been announced by President Dmitry Medvedev today.