Putin dares the West to fight, one day after top Moscow leader threatens to take back Alaska

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday seemingly challenged the West to fight, warning that his military still has yet to unleash its full power, one day after a top-ranking Moscow official threatened to retake Alaska.

Speaking to members of the State Duma, Russia's parliament, Putin claimed the West wants to defeat Russia on the battlefield.

"Well, what can I say? Let them try," he said, as translated by Google.

"We have already heard a lot that the West wants to fight with us 'to the last Ukrainian,'" he stated, possibly referencing the financial and military support from Western nations to Ukraine.

"This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it seems that everything is heading towards this. But everyone should know that, by and large, we have not started anything seriously yet," Putin warned.

One day prior, State Duma Chair Viacheslav Volodin hinted that Russia could take Alaska back from the United States, which purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867 for $7.2 million.

If the United States begins freezing Russia's overseas assets, Russia may begin seizing U.S. territory in response, Volodin warned.

"Let America always remember: there is a part of its [Russia's] territory - Alaska," Volodin said, according to Russian outlet RBC, as translated.

"We do not interfere in their internal affairs, and for decades they have been saying that everything that is happening to them, the election of all presidents, is due to the fact that Russia is interfering," Volodin stated.

"Well, what can I say? [President Donald Trump] was not good for them, now the other is falling off the bike. Well, we are again," he said, referencing President Joe Biden falling off of his bicycle.

While Russia has not recently published its causality number, Ukraine reported more than 36,000 Russian total casualties on Thursday. An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC last month that Ukraine is losing between 100 and 200 troops every day.

Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy responded to the apparent threat to invade his state: "To the Russian politicians who believe they can take back Alaska: Good luck."