MOSCOW. Nov 17 (Interfax) - The danger of local armed conflicts along Russia's borders has grown following the Soviet Union's breakup, and these conflicts could grow into a large-scale war with the use of nuclear weapons, Gen. Nikolai Makarov, the chief of staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said at the Russian Public Chamber on Thursday.
"The possibility of local armed conflicts virtually along the entire perimeter of the border has grown dramatically," Makarov said.
"I cannot rule out that, in certain circumstances, local and regional armed conflicts could grow into a large-scale war, including with the use of nuclear weapons," he said.