RUSSIA will attack Ukraine unless Nato gives a cast-iron guarantee it will never let Kiev join the US-led alliance, a senior Putin aide warned.<\/p>\n
The threat from a top Kremlin adviser is the starkest so far and stoked fresh fears an invasion could drag Western allies into World War Three.<\/p>\n
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It comes after Russia massed 100,000 of troops on the border and Ukraine spy chiefs said they believe a full-scale invasion is planned in the New Year.<\/p>\n
And today Ukraine confirmed it fired US-made Javelin anti-tank missiles at Russia-backed rebels during fresh skirmishes in the breakaway Donbas region.<\/p>\n
Amid heightened tensions, Putin ally Fyodor Lukyanov warned of a new conflict if Nato expanded further east in an article published last night.<\/p>\n
Mr Lukyanov - chairman of the Russian Foreign Affairs Council, which advises the Kremlin - also made it clear that Moscow would be seeking more than verbal reassurances from Nato.<\/p>\n
He wrote: This recent round of escalation in Eastern Europe showed that the old principles of security on the continent are no longer working.<\/p>\n
Russia will have to change the system and draw new red lines'.<\/p>\n
He made pointed reference to a post-WW2 deal between the Soviet Union and Finland, under which Moscow recognised Finlands independence in return for its neutrality in the Cold War.<\/p>\n
Chillingly, Mr Lukyanov added that the gambit that led to the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia - when Moscow invaded after claiming to have been provoked - could well be replicated in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Yesterday Moscow accused the US of secretly staging a mock nuclear attack 12 miles from the border \"putting Russian forces on alert\".<\/p>\n
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also said American strategic bombers had carried out 30 flights close toRussiathis month in a significant escalation.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian intelligence chiefs have warned Russia is planning to invade on ten fronts in January.<\/p>\n
Brigadier General Budanov saidthe invasionwould begin with air strikes and shelling following by an attack from the air involving up to 3,500 paratroopers and special forces, reportsThe Military Times.<\/p>\n
It would then be followed by a mass assault across the border, amphibious landings in Odessa and Mariupol, and a smaller invasion from neighbouring Belarus.<\/p>\n
Russia has always denied any aggressive intentions towards its neighbour - branding the latest reports as \"hysteria\".<\/p>\n
President Putin described the troop build-up as a deterrent against a renewed Ukrainian government offensive.<\/p>\n
Several ceasefire breaches have been reported in the eastern areas of the country held by Moscow-backed separatists.<\/p>\n
Kiev confirmed for the first time it has deployed the US-made Javelin anti-tank missiles in the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n
General Budanov claimed they have also been used against Russian forces, who are suspected of making incursions across the border in support of the rebels.<\/p>\n
He said the rockets have a \"significant psychological deterrent value making Russians think twice about attacking.\" <\/p>\n
Nato said it is prepared to help its allies.<\/p>\n
Brigadier General Simon Doran, of the US Marine Corps, said of a potential Russian invasion: We exist to be ready at all times. <\/p>\n
He told The Daily Telegraph: Hopefully, were not only deterring potential adversaries, were also reassuring all of our partners and allies that if called upon, we will be here.<\/p>\n
We are absolutely ready to combat any aggression from anybody globally.<\/p>\n
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Russia sparks WW3 fears after vowing to attack Ukraine unless Nato agrees to BAN Kiev from alliance... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" RUSSIA will attack Ukraine unless Nato gives a cast-iron guarantee it will never let Kiev join the US-led alliance, a senior Putin aide warned. The threat from a top Kremlin adviser is the starkest so far and stoked fresh fears an invasion could drag Western allies into World War Three. Continue reading