A Japanese hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivor, has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to put the country's deterrence forces on high alert. Putin is believed to have nuclear deterrence in mind.

Tanaka Shigemitsu, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, said nuclear weapons must never be used. He said, "We have been making that appeal for the past 77 years since we suffered from the bombings."

Tanaka now serves as a co-chairperson of Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations.

He said, "Nuclear weapons only bring about catastrophe. Once they are used, the site of the explosion would be contaminated with radioactivity. Rescue operations would be impossible."

Tanaka said that after experiencing such destruction themselves, survivors have continued to call for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

In a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other officials on Sunday, the Russian president issued the order to put the country's deterrence forces on a special mode of combat service.