Russia's defences remain strong, insists defence minister in Krasnoyarsk

The Siberian-born Russian defence minister insisted to a group of students in Krasnoyarsk that Russia had cutting-edge weapons and there were no doubts of its military might. He had been asked to comment on online claims that 'there is nothing left, our army is a total wreck and we can only showcase tin cans at parades in Moscow'.

'This is nonsense, total and utter nonsense,' he said. 'This is rubbish. The country's nuclear shield remains powerful and strong, and everything is being done to keep it that way. We have thousands of planes and helicopters, a rocket shield, a powerful air defence system.'

Shoigu was born in the Tyva Republic of southern Siberia. He was previously Emergencies' Minister and governor of Moscow region. He was educated in Krasnoyarsk and speaks nine languages.