Pundits on tightly controlled Russian television warned of “World War 3” if NATO attempted to launch a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. According to one, such a move would be a “de facto declaration of war.”

Since Russian troops entered Ukraine more than a month ago, Vladimir Putin and his cronies have fueled fears of an all-out nuclear war between Russia and the West.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, issued a chilling warning to Western nations on March 23, stating that if Russia were “attacked” or “provoked” by NATO, “we are a nuclear power, why not?”

When asked by Sky News at the United Nations in New York if he thought that was a legitimate claim, he responded, “I don’t think it’s the right thing to be doing.”

“But it’s not the right thing to threaten Russia, and to try to interfere. So when you’re dealing with a nuclear power, of course, you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behaviour.”

The Russian President could use nuclear weapons to counter a “existential threat,” according to Putin’s spokesperson the day before.

On top of international political statements, the Kremlin is now briefing the Russian people on the possibility of nuclear war.

According to translations by our sister paper the Daily Star, Olga Skabeyeva, host of 60 Minutes on the Russian state-owned Rossiya 1 channel, said that sending peacekeepers to Ukraine would “represent a direct clash between Russia’s armed forces and NATO.”

“And how this collision will end is probably not worth explaining,” she added. This is known as World War Three.”

According to Putin’s spokesperson the day before, the Russian President may use nuclear weapons to counter a “existential threat.”

In addition to international political statements, the Kremlin is now briefing Russian citizens on the possibility of nuclear war.

According to Daily Star translations, Olga Skabeyeva, host of 60 Minutes on Russia’s state-owned Rossiya 1 channel, said that sending peacekeepers to Ukraine would “represent a direct clash between Russia’s armed forces and NATO.”

“And it’s probably not worth explaining how this collision will end,” she added. This is referred to as World War Three.”