A huge fire erupts at the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow as Vladimir Putin holds talks in the Kremlin nearby

A FIRE erupted in Russia’s Defense Ministry as Vladimir Putin held talks just steps away in the Kremlin.

The footage shows thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the third floor windows of the building in Moscow.

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About 50 people were evacuated as flames tore through the site.

The fire was in a building called the Apraksin House, which has housed the administrative services of the Russian Defense Ministry since 1987.

It is close to the Defense Ministry headquarters and a few hundred meters from the Kremlin.

Putin held talks in the Kremlin with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko – an ally in his war with Ukraine.

The cause of the inferno has not been confirmed.

Some reports said the department on fire was a military property department dealing with facilities across the country.

The ministry is headed by Putin’s close ally, Sergei Shoigu, and is responsible for Putin’s war in Ukraine.

It comes as Putin welcomed Lukashenko to Moscow for two days of talks on Wednesday.

But in their opening public speeches, both despots kept their distance from the war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week the two leaders would discuss Lukashenko’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Last month Putin said Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Putin told Lukashenko in comments on state television: “I must say that as a result of our joint work we have achieved a lot in all areas.

“We will discuss all this tomorrow – this applies to our cooperation at the international level and the joint solution of issues of ensuring the security of our states.”

A few days ago, Putin’s puppet Lukashenko issued a chilling warning to the West that the Russian tyrant will unleash a nuclear third world war if he suffers defeat in Ukraine.

The dictator said that Russia, which is already sending tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, might also send ICBMs there.

Addressing lawmakers and government officials, Lukashenko said Moscow’s plans to station nuclear weapons on its territory would help protect Belarus, which he said was threatened by the West.

He said: “I’m not trying to intimidate or blackmail anyone. I want to protect the Belarusian state and ensure peace for the Belarusian people.”

In an angry speech, Lukashenko called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine and warned that Russia would be forced to use “the most terrible weapon” if it felt threatened.

He said: “It is impossible to defeat a nuclear power. When the Russian leadership understands that the situation threatens to disintegrate Russia, it will use the most terrible weapon.

“That cannot be allowed.”