A rising number of Russians are ready to approve Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Some 34 per cent – just over one in three – would definitely or likely support use of the ultimate weapon in the conflict.

This is five per cent higher than one year ago, and the highest since Putin launched his illegal war against the sovereign state Ukraine.

The findings from the Levada Centre show 31 per cent are definitely against the use of weapons, while 21 per cent are likely against it.

The upward trend shows the success of Russian propagandists seeking to gain support for nuclear use.

Russian soldiers load a Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile launchers at a firing position as part of Russian military drill intended to…