World War III risk erupting? Vladimir Putin stokes fresh fear with chilling new warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stoked fresh World War III fears with a chilling new warning by saying :"We will always respond to any challenge". Putin has warned that World War III could erupt if the West continues 'escalating the situation' in his latest existential threat over the war in Ukraine.

He also accused the West of antagonising the conflict but stopped short of saying World War Three was already underway. He made the remarks while speaking during a broadcast on state TV when he issued the blunt message aimed at leaders who have backed Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, reports Daily Mail.

ALSO READ: World War III soon? Putin's minister drops bombshell, reveals Russia Vs NATO conflict date

Putin says will respond to any challenge

“You know, there is no need to scare anyone… [but] there are many dangers - they are increasing. And we see what our enemy is doing today, escalating the situation. If they want to, let them live badly, let them escalate further.” He further added: “We will always respond to any challenge, always," he was quoted as saying.

His comments come after Ukraine’s secretive security agency, the SBU, assassinated Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, on Tuesday morning in Moscow. The high ranking military official was killed alongside his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, with a bomb that had been planted inside a scooter. The security agency later said they had considered the general "a war criminal and a completely legitimate target”, according to the Financial Times.

ALSO READ: JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warns World War III has already begun, mentions China, Russia

Kirillov, 54, had been under sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his actions in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. And the day before his death, Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. Russia later said it had arrested a 29-year-old Uzbeck national in connection with the killing.

Putin glossed over his role in escalating conflict in Europe with the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, instead boasting of his personal role in the 'historic' development of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

Putin challenges West

Last week, Putin went so far as to challenge the West to a 'high tech missile duel', suggesting he could warn of an attack with the experimental new weapon to see if Ukraine's allies can 'stop it in time'.

Speaking on the Russia-1 television channel, he urged compromise from Western leaders, asserting: 'We are ready to look for these compromises, but without prejudice to our interests.'

ALSO READ: After his 'sex during work break' suggestions, Putin's comment on porn is viral. What did the Russian President say?

Putin has inflamed his rhetoric warning of a potential global war in response to the West's support for Ukraine.

Last week, he accused the West of pushing Russia to its 'red lines' and threatened to lift all voluntary restrictions on the deployment of his short and medium-range missiles if the US went ahead and deployed similar weapons.

Putin, who said Russian forces in Ukraine has taken control of 189 settlements so far this year, said Russia's nuclear weapons were there for deterrence.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk makes 'overstaffed' Fed his target in new post, internet says 'bye bye Jerome Powell'Recently, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said Russia has to prepare for war with NATO as well as complete its war against Ukraine. Andrei has warned of a direct conflict between Moscow and NATO within the next decade.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia must be ready for any development of events, including a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade,” Belousov was quoted as saying by the Politico.

Andrei Belousov also warned NATO against providing military support to Ukraine and deploying troops near Russia's borders, stating that the country must be prepared for a full-blown conflict with NATO.