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"US spends $290m on radiation-injury drugs after Putin warns attack on Russia could provoke nuclear responseThe US has spent $290m on radiation-injury drugs after Vladimir Putin warned the West he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.A significant supply of the drug Nplate, which stimulates the body’s production of platelets and reduces radiation-induced bleeding, has been purchased by the government, according to the US Health and Human Services (HSS).&nbsp;The HSS has denied the move is in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and instead said it was \"part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies\".The drug is manufactured by the California pharmaceutical company Amgen and can be used to treat both adults and children.Earlier this month, Mr Putin vowed to protect the newly annexed regions in Ukraine by \"all available means\", a nuclear-backed threat, at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed at the West.By claiming 18% of Ukraine as part of Russia, the room for nuclear threats increases as Mr Putin could cast any attack on these territories as an attack on Russia itself."
<https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-news-live-blinken-zelenskyy-putin-war-latest-12541713?postid=3786867>