Vladimir Putin has made a significant move, as experts fear it could escalate tensions into World War III.

According to the Irish Star, the Russian President has announced an increase in the production of hypersonic missiles - a move that comes amid mounting international unrest.

This latest military development comes on the heels of Iran’s retaliatory strike on American military bases in Qatar, which occurred on Monday (June 23).

The attack followed a U.S. decision to drop six "bunker buster" bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, a command issued by President Donald Trump.

The bombings, reportedly executed by Israel, were prompted by suspicions that Iran was advancing its uranium enrichment program in a bid to create a nuclear threat against Israel.

Iran, which maintains a close alliance with Moscow, has supplied drones used by Russia in its offensive in Ukraine.

Despite a ceasefire agreement taking effect on Tuesday (June 24), Russia is ramping up its military capabilities in what it describes as a defensive measure.

“Serial production of the latest Oreshnik medium-range missile system underway,” Putin said during a press conference.

The Oreshnik, also known as the Hazel tree missile, is a hypersonic weapon that Russia used during its assault on Ukraine in November 2024. One missile reportedly struck a defense facility in Dnipro, causing substantial damage, as reported by The Mirror.

The 72-year-old justified the missile campaign by accusing Ukraine of employing US-supplied ballistic missiles during former President Joe Biden’s final days in office. He also pointed fingers at the United Kingdom for allowing Ukraine to use British-made cruise missiles in attacks on Russian territory.

These hypersonic missiles have a staggering range of up to 3,415 miles, placing vast parts of Europe and even the western US within potential strike range.

Putin previously claimed the Oreshnik was “impossible to intercept” and capable of delivering destruction “on par with a nuclear weapon.” However, military analysts remain skeptical of those assertions.

American officials have brushed off the claims as hyperbole, noting that the missile’s warhead is still "experimental" and that Russia may be inflating the scale of its actual arsenal.

Adding to Western concerns, Moscow plans to station Oreshnik missiles in Belarus later this year. Belarus borders NATO members Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, heightening strategic tensions in the region.

As rhetoric and military moves ratchet up, so too has public interest in nuclear fallout shelters.

Fallout shelters, unlike bomb shelters, aren’t designed to withstand explosions but instead offer protection from radioactive fallout in the aftermath of a nuclear strike.

Many of these shelters, once everywhere in public buildings across the US, remain in places like New York, Baltimore, Detroit, and Sacramento, though often neglected and unstocked.

A new map from TruePrepper.com has revived interest by cataloging hundreds, possibly thousands, of existing shelters across the country.

“The thicker the shielding, the better the protection. Alternatively, several yards of dirt will work, so many shelters are below ground,” explained Air Force veteran and survival expert Sean Gold.

He added that adequate ventilation, filtered air, and a supply of food, water, and waste management are crucial for long-term survival. Gold warned that if a nuclear strike ever occurs, you only have a few minutes to get to a shelter, and you may need to stay inside for months due to radiation.

Major urban centers like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and cities in Texas and Massachusetts still harbor numerous potential shelters. But others, such as Miami, Orlando, and Chicago, are far less prepared.

As fears of a broader conflict continue to mount, experts advise that now may be the time to reacquaint ourselves with these long-forgotten sanctuaries.

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The Kremlin has issued a warning to three nations about potential upcoming invasions, for one specific reason.

Russia has not been afraid of brandishing threats towards its adversaries over the years, but it has now issued a fresh warning to the Baltic states.

The new pressure has been confirmed by a new image, which was published by former Ukrainian internal affairs minister Anton Gerashchenko.

This comes just weeks after video footage circulated online, revealing Russia's successful launch of the Samrat missile, the latest and 'most powerful' missile in the nation's arsenal.

Russia had test-fired its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, as President Vladimir Putin further flexed the power at his fingertips.

The nation has no intention of slowing down in military action now, as Gerashchenko claimed that Moscow is looking to appeal to the International Court of Justice over the 'suppression of the rights of Russian speakers' in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Russia has continued to develop missiles as World War 3 fears mount. Credit: Sellyhutapea/Getty

Warning issued to Baltic states

But in reality, he said the move is 'another element of a systematic effort to build a legitimacy framework for possible intervention.'

Gerashchenko explained on X: "Moscow’s rhetoric is standard and familiar: 'language bans,' 'Russophobia,' and 'persecution of dissent,'

"The foreign ministry pretends that negotiations 'have yielded no results' and that complaints submitted to the UN and OSCE have been ignored — therefore, the Kremlin is allegedly forced to go to court."

He further detailed that logic, which involves 'exhausting all available means,' is not actually a legal strategy, but instead the 'preparation of a narrative.'

The former minister said that every refusal to follow Russia's orders will be considered as 'Western bias,' resulting in 'extrajudicial actions.'

He further wrote: "The scheme is not new. Before the 2008 war in Georgia, Russia spent years talking about the 'genocide of Ossetians,' distributing passports to residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and then used the claim of 'protecting Russian citizens' as a formal justification for invasion."

After this war, the Russian President at the time was Dmitry Medvedev, and he signed amendments to Russia's Law on Defense.

This meant that the military could be utilized overseas to protect Russian citizens.

He highlighted: "The Kremlin then moved the concept of 'protecting compatriots' from propaganda into formal law."

The Kremlin could take action against the Baltic states. Credit: Contributor/Getty

What can we expect next?

Gerashchenko said that this pattern repeated itself in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea, which again occurred in 2022 with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The state Duma adopted new legislation on May 13 this year, and on May 25, Putin signed a law allowing the use of Russian military overseas 'to protect Russian citizens from persecution by courts whose jurisdiction Moscow does not recognize.'

"What an astonishing coincidence: two steps taken on the same day - a legal claim and expanded legal authorization for the use of force, formalized simultaneously," Gerashchenko wrote on social media.

However, the Baltic states are members of the EU and NATO, and Russia can only appeal to those considered 'compatriots' and 'Russian speakers' as opposed to 'Russian citizens.'

The former minister said that the weakness of the legal basis won't stop Putin, though, explaining: "NATO membership remains the main deterrent for Moscow,

"Therefore, the real goal of the campaign is to create a 'gray zone' in the perception of the conflict and build an international record of an 'unresolved issue concerning the rights of Russians."

He concluded by writing: "This objective becomes especially significant against the backdrop of April statements by the Trump administration regarding a possible U.S. withdrawal from NATO - uncertainty of this kind creates precisely the conditions under which the Kremlin’s human rights narrative becomes operationally useful."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered for military deterrence forces - which include nuclear weapons - to be put on "special alert", BBC reports.

In a statement to defense chiefs on Sunday, Putin explained that the measures were being taken because of "aggressive statements" and "unfriendly measures" from Western nations who had condemned his invasion of Ukraine.

In a translation by The Guardian, Putin said: "as you can see, not only do Western countries continue to take unfriendly measures against our country in the economic dimension - I mean the illegal sanctions that everyone knows about very well - but also the top officials of leading NATO countries to make aggressive statements with regards to our country."

He went on to add: "That is why I order defence minister and chief of the general staff to put Russian army deterrence forces on high combat alert."

The announcement constitutes a considerable threat by Putin to use any measures possible to continue his campaign in Ukraine unhindered. It was immediately condemned by the US, who called it an "unacceptable escalation" per BBC.

Putin seemed to allude to his nuclear capabilities last week when he warned that "whoever tries to hinder" his troops in Ukraine would face consequences "you have never seen in your history."

Despite his threat, Russia has been widely condemned by the global community. A rare emergency session of the UN was called to discuss Ukraine despite Putin's attempts to stop it.

Meanwhile, the EU, Turkey, and Sweeden are just some of the countries that have placed sanctions on Russia and sent aid to the invaded Ukraine.

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg told CNN that Putin's latest threat is "dangerous rhetoric" and "behavior which is irresponsible."

The US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield also reacted to the move during an appearance on CBS.

"President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable and we have to continue to condemn his actions in the strongest possible way," she said.

Featured Image Credit: Xinhua / Alamy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to the West, boasting about Russia's advancements in nuclear weapons.

On October 26, 2025, Putin revealed that Russia now holds what he describes as the "highest level" of nuclear forces worldwide, following a successful test flight of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which is dubbed the "Flying Chernobyl." This missile is reported to have an "unlimited range" and, according to Putin, can evade all current Western defense systems.

As reported by MailOnline, the test took place on October 21 and was highlighted by Putin during a visit to a Russian military command post, where he also discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian missiles continued to strike Kyiv even as he made these remarks, with reports indicating that at least three civilians were killed in the attack. In addition, Putin announced recent nuclear drills conducted by Russian forces, which further escalated fears of a global conflict.

Burevestnik missile test showcases new military capabilities

The Burevestnik missile, which is powered by nuclear technology, was successfully tested over a duration of 15 hours, covering a distance of 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles). General Valery Gerasimov, who was present during the briefing, noted that the missile had demonstrated advanced maneuverability, including both vertical and horizontal movements, proving its ability to bypass air defense systems.

Although still not ready for combat use, the missile’s technical prowess and the secrecy surrounding its development have sent shockwaves across the international community. The missile’s name, "Flying Chernobyl," comes from concerns about its radioactive exhaust, a byproduct of its nuclear propulsion system, which has raised environmental and safety alarms.

Putin’s unveiling of this new weapon marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia shows no signs of de-escalating. The missile, which has been in development for years, underscores Russia's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities while continuing its aggression in Eastern Europe.

Escalating tensions with the West and civilian casualties

As Putin flaunts his country's latest military advancement, the ongoing war in Ukraine intensifies. In Kyiv, missile strikes hit residential blocks, killing three civilians and injuring nearly 30, including children.

Putin's ambassador in the US, Kiril Dmitriev, controversially blamed Ukraine's air defense for these attacks, despite clear evidence of Russian responsibility. This denial of responsibility is consistent with Russia's narrative, which has continually downplayed the impact of its attacks on civilian targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, highlighting Russia’s strategy of targeting everyday life and civilian infrastructure to maximize suffering. Meanwhile, the international community, led by the United States, has slapped new economic sanctions on Russia, including stricter oil restrictions, in an effort to curb its military advancements and bring an end to the war.

Featured image credit: Contributor / Getty

A chilling doomsday map has revealed seven US targets that Vladimir Putin might seek to attack with a nuclear weapon.

Since the war in Ukraine began, the United States has sent aid to Ukraine - a move originally ordered by then-President Joe Biden.

The decision was met with immediate anger from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the move “reckless, dangerous, aimed at a qualitative change, a qualitative increase in the level of involvement of the United States in this conflict," per Reuters.

He reiterated Putin’s earlier warnings that such support amounts to “direct involvement” by the US and NATO in the war.

Peskov also accused Washington of escalating the crisis further, claiming that “the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps to continue adding fuel to the fire and continue to provoke tension around this conflict.”

As diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest nuclear powers have deteriorated, some analysts believe the world may already be entering WW3.

Russia is currently at war with Ukraine. Credit: Contributor / Getty

Iran Tensions Add To Global Instability

The situation is complicated further by the rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

Last June, Iran’s United Nations mission blasted American tactics, stating: “Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance," per ABC News.

Tensions escalated again on Tuesday (February 24), when President Donald Trump addressed Iran during his State of the Union speech, claiming that Tehran is expanding its missile capabilities.

“They've already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,” he said, per The Independent. He did not provide any evidence.

In the same speech, he warned: “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon."

The 79-year-old also accused Iran of internal brutality, saying: “They’ve killed at least 32,000 protesters in their own country - they shot a lot of them and hung them,” describing the regime as “some terrible people”.

The comments came as US naval and air forces gathered near Iran amid speculation over potential military action.

The US has also ordered nonessential diplomats and their families to leave the embassy in Beirut and withdrawn from key bases in northeastern Syria and Qatar.

Donald Trump delivered the longest-ever State of the Union address. Credit: Pool / Getty

Despite the heated rhetoric, Russia has avoided direct military involvement in the Middle East conflict.

Experts have suggested that this may be strategic, as Moscow is already committed to operations in Ukraine and may prefer positioning itself as a diplomatic broker.

Still, Russia’s alignment with Iran and the United States signals that global alliances are hardening.

The Seven Potential US Targets

In a now-deleted Russian state TV broadcast reported by Metro, several American sites were allegedly identified as potential nuclear targets if a full-scale war were to erupt.

1. The Pentagon, Virginia: As the hub of U.S. military operations, its destruction would severely disrupt American defense protocols.
2. Camp David, Maryland: A symbolic retreat for U.S. presidents and key decision-making site, a hit here would send a powerful message.
3. Jim Creek Naval Radio Station, Washington State: A critical communications facility for Pacific-based submarines, including those carrying nuclear weapons.
4. Fort Ritchie, Maryland: Though decommissioned in 1998, it’s near the Raven Rock Mountain Complex (“Site R”), a known emergency bunker for U.S. military leadership.
5. McClellan Air Force Base, California: Allegedly still of interest to Russian intelligence despite being closed in 2001. Possibly a decoy or an outdated target.
6. Kirtland AFB, New Mexico: Home to US nuclear stockpiles
7. Pantex plant, Texas: Also holds nuclear weapons.

The Pentagon would be a likely target. Credit: Alex Wong / Getty

There has been no official confirmation that these locations are active nuclear targets, but the reported broadcast has added to the global concern.

Zakharova’s warning of “a nuclear disaster” and Zelenskyy’s claim that Putin has “already started WW3” underscore how dangerous the situation has become.

"I believe that Putin has already started it," he told BBC News. "The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him... Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves."

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