MOSCOW / BRUSSELS - NATO is practicing nuclear strikes against Russia, Army General Vladimir Kulishov, first deputy director of Russia's Federal Security Service and head of the Border Service, said on Tuesday.

"Near the Russian border, NATO reconnaissance activity is increasing, and the intensity of operational combat training of the alliance's troops is increasing, during which scenarios for conducting combat operations against the Russian Federation are being practiced, including launching nuclear strikes on our territory," he said in an interview with Russia's RIA Novosti.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is in direct confrontation with Russia over conflict in Ukraine

"All this requires us to take adequate measures to protect and secure our borders," Kulishov said.

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The Russian military earlier launched military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons as a "response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation," according to the defense ministry.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is in direct confrontation with Russia over conflict in Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for lifting the restrictions on Ukraine using weapons supplied by NATO members to attack Russian territories, according to media reports.

Russia repeatedly warned the West about allowing Ukraine to use supplied weapons to strike Russian territory over the past month

Commenting on Stoltenberg's statements, Peskov noted that "this cannot be his personal opinion," given his position as NATO chief.

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Peskov said that NATO is directly involved in the Ukraine conflict, adding that the alliance is increasing the degree of escalation.

Russia repeatedly warned the West about allowing Ukraine to use supplied weapons to strike Russian territory over the past month, with some Western leaders having talked up the possibility.

The Russian military earlier launched military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons as a "response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation," according to the defense ministry.

Separately, the Council of the European Union on Monday announced a new framework for restrictive measures against Russia over the alleged poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

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The sanctions regime involves trade restrictions on equipment, technology, and software intended primarily for use in information security and the monitoring or interception of telecommunications, the Council said in a statement.

It also sanctioned one entity and 19 individuals alleged to have played key roles in the imprisonment and ultimate death of Navalny.