Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and Deputy Chairman of its Security Council, said if Russia fails to win its war with Ukraine “on our terms”, World War Three could be triggered and billions may die.
He accused western leaders of a “Neanderthal mindset and abysmal ignorance”, and warned they were “trying to push the world to the brink of nuclear apocalypse”.
He said: “Such a conflict would obliterate the entire history of human civilization and plunge it back into a primitive state – assuming any of the planet’s billions of people survived at all. “
There have already been “acts of aggression capable of triggering a Third World War”, he said.
Medvedev claimed Putin could turn to nuclear weapons in a bid to “secure an end to the [Ukraine] conflict on our terms”.
He said: “It must end on our terms to prevent any possibility of it recurring in the future or escalating into a global conflict.”
Medvedev’s comments came as Russia’s main seaside resort – Sochi – was struck overnight by aerial and sea Ukrainian drones. Multiple members of the Putin elite were there, including Alina Kabaeva, Putin’s rumoured long-term partner.
Speaking to the Vedomosti newspaper, Medvedev said the West should take seriously Russia’s threats about nuclear war.
He said: “These are not hints. Everyone needs to understand: nuclear weapons could be used in certain circumstances.”
“This is not a scare tactic – it is reality. Russia’s nuclear doctrine – under which our country reserves the right to use such weapons in the event of a threat to our state’s security – can hardly be described as a mere hint.”
“The list of military threats requiring nuclear deterrence measures has also been expanded.” Aggression against Russia or ally Belarus by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power would be “viewed as a joint attack on our countries” and could lead to a nuclear response, he said.
Medvedev said: “We have every right to respond to a critical threat to our sovereignty. The final decision will rest with the Head of State [Putin].”
Eight people were injured in the Sochi attack, with five taken to hospital and three receiving assistance at the scene.
Ukraine also struck Caspian Sea port Makhachkala in Dagestan, which is used to receive Iranian military imports.
Novy Urengoy, Putin’s gas capital located just below the Arctic Circle in Siberia, was also hit by a record-breaking 2,100-mile military drone strike.
A Gazprom condensate plant in the city was seen ablaze after the strike.
Speaking from an official visit to Canada, Zelenskyy said: “Russia continues its terror against Ukraine every day. And every day it receives a just response.”
