'REAL DANGER'
Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion could spark nuclear war if troops step into NATO countries, warns ex-alliance chief
RUSSIA'S invasion of Ukraine could spark nuclear war, a former Nato chief has warned.
Ex-Nato Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, said if Putin's soldiers set foot into Nato territories members "will go to war with Russia".
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Speaking on Good Morning Britain today following Putin's declaration of all-out war on Ukraine, General Sir Adrian warned of dire consequences if Russian troops cross into Nato territories.
The invaded country, nestled between Russia and a raft of Nato countries is blocked off to the East by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria - which are all members.
The former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe said this morning: "That is incredibly serious - it could lead to nuclear war. We must not let that happen."
He warned nuclear weapons "are always" a background threat, with Russian military commanders making no secret of it in the months leading up to today's "special military operation" declared by Putin in the small hours of this morning.
However, Sir General Adrian added: "But I don't think the use of nuclear weapons is particularly likely in the context of takeover of Ukraine.
"The danger of nuclear weapons is if there's conflict with Nato, and things escalate out of control."
He told hosts: "Russia have a doctrine of escalation dominance, and try to take things to a stage beyond which we don't dare go."
He chillingly concluded: "That's a real danger. We must prepare for that day now.
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"It must not be allowed to happen."
It comes after former Royal Navy chief Lord West told The Sun one "miscalculation" could spark a war in Europe - which could spiral into a world war involving the use of nuclear weapons.
The 73-year-old said: "This is extremely dangerous. The risk of a miscalculation could lead to a war in Europe which could then become a global conflict - and the use of nuclear weapons.
"There is no doubt Putin wants to control the Ukraine - if he can do that without too much pain, he will do it. And the threat won't go away.
"If he is successful, he will be tempted to try and do something against one of the European countries.
"And that will inevitably lead to a war between Russia and Nato and inevitably lead to the use of nuclear weapons."
Russia this morning rolled around 100,000 tanks into Ukraine as desperate citizens attempted to flee.
Long queues have formed at cashpoints around the country, with desperate civilians piling their pets and belongings into cars and heading out of the country.
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Smoke was seen billowing from Chughuev Airport in the Kharkiv region, and loud blasts were heard in the capital, Kyiv, just after 5am local time.
Britain and the US are thought to be imposing more sanctions on the tyrannical Russian President imminently.
His full scale invasion of Ukraine is all part of his deluded plan to rebuild the Soviet Union amid his paranoid fears over Nato.
Ukrainians faced the sound of booming explosions and blaring air raid sirens as missiles, airstrikes and artillery shells fell on their homeland.
Putin took to Russian airwaves at 5.50am Moscow time to order an aerial blitz in the first stage of his attack.
It comes as:
- Vladimir Putin warns of 'untold consequences' if the West challenges his invasion of Ukraine
- Britain is to batter Russia with 'unprecedented' sanctions of the invasion
- Boris Johnson is holding a crisis Cobra meeting over the invasion as the West daws up plans for 'severe sanctions'
- Horror pictures show after Russia's dawn assault
- Fears are growing over the price of petrol and gas as the markets quake in the aftermath of the invasion
- Civilians are believed to have been hurt in the initial assault by Russia
- Putin is feared to have deploy Russia’s horrifying
Moments later the first powerful explosions were reported as armoured columns were spotted moving towards the border.
And this morning just as Ukraine was assessing the damage, a second wave of missile strikes came hammering down.
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Putin chillingly warned the West that there would be "consequences greater than any you have faced in history" if there are any moves to interfere with the invasion.
Global leaders have condemned Putin and pledged to stand with Ukraine - with the world now just one false move from what could become World War Three.
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