Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will soon deploy a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that can carry multiple nuclear warheads.

Putin spoke at a defense ministry meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.

He said Russia will maintain and improve the combat readiness of the strategic nuclear force. He said it will be a guarantee to maintain the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the global power balance.

The state-run Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying Sarmat ICBMs "will for the first time assume combat alert shortly."

He added that hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles will be deployed on a frigate in January.

Observers say Putin wants to show off Russia's nuclear force as a warning to the United States and other NATO members, which provide military support to Ukraine.