The frightening threat of nuclear war seems closer than ever. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons. This follows threats from Ukraine that it would use long-range US missiles to strike it. NATO countries, sensing this chill, distributed pamphlets to their citizens, advising them on how to prepare for war.

In these pamphlets, Sweden warned its residents to “take shelter” amid fears of nuclear war, according to the Mirror of the UK. The brochure, published only five times since World War II, was sent to every Swedish household.

Norway also published emergency pamphlets advising people to fend for themselves for a week in an emergency, including in the event of all-out war.

Ukraine even fired six American-made ATACMS missiles into the Russian region of Bryansk on Tuesday, November 19, the Russian Defense Ministry announced.

SHELTER TO PREPARE RATIONS, NATO COUNTRIES TO CITIZENS

Denmark has already sent emails to its citizens to stock up on dry rations, water and medicine to cope with a three-day emergency, including a nuclear attack.

Finland has also updated its online brochure on “incident and crisis preparedness” in the context of the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine.

While Finland joined the US-led NATO military group last year, Sweden joined in March this year after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Panic among NATO countries comes after US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles with powerful blast impact to attack targets deep inside Russia.

The U.S.-made missiles are known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and have a range of more than 300 km.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear his intention to use these missiles against Russia.

“Today there is a lot of talk in the media about obtaining permission for the relevant actions. But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves- same,” Zelensky said.

UKRAINE RECEIVES LONG-RANGE MISSILES, NATO WARNS

It was in response to this that Putin lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons domestically. 1,000th day of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

He signed a revised nuclear doctrine declaring that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation backed by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack on his country, according to an Associated Press report.

In simple terms, this means that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if it were backed by nuclear powers.

Russia is a nuclear power, possessing one of the largest nuclear warheads in the world, while Ukraine has given up its entire nuclear stockpile. Ukraine agreed to abandon its nuclear arsenal, then the third in the world and inherited from the Soviet Union, in 1994. But Ukraine is supported by several nuclear powers, including the United States.

US President-elect Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr claimed on Monday that Biden was trying to start World War III before his father took over.

“The military-industrial complex seems intent on making sure it starts World War III before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives. I need to lock down these billions of dollars. To hell with life !!! Fools!” he wrote about X.

There is no doubt that the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, has widened and put the world on the edge. Russia has committed North Korean soldiers to the front line.

War readiness also depends on whether a nation borders Russia.

Finland has been more cautious about a world war due to its long border with Russia and its experience of war with the Soviet Union during World War II.

But Sweden only recently began preparing for a world war.

These guides explain what to do in different scenarios and ask citizens to protect themselves in a crisis.

Finns were asked how they would cope with winter temperatures as low as -20°C on their own.

Their list includes iodine tablets and easy-to-cook foods, pet food, and emergency food.

The Swedish list includes potatoes, cabbage, carrots and eggs, as well as Bolognese sauce, a soup made with blueberries and rosehips.

Several NATO countries now fear war and are preparing for it.

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