Russian President Vladimir Putin.(Image: Getty Images)
A terrifying new prediction has emerged suggesting how tyrant Vladimir Putin might trigger World War Three within just over a year.
A senior Ukrainian military intelligence officer claims to possess insider information about alarming Russian military strategies that could bring devastation across the globe.
Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov has alleged that the ruthless Putin plans to seize three NATO and EU nations – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by 2027.
The Ukrainian intelligence leader further stated that the Russian autocrat also intends to supposedly target Poland – launching attacks against the nation, though not with immediate invasion plans.
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This revelation comes as protracted and agonising negotiations continue between the US, Ukraine and Russia in attempts to halt Putin’s catastrophic unlawful war, reports the Mirror.
Budanov, whose operatives have orchestrated numerous Ukrainian assaults on Russian soil, cautioned: “According to the main plan, the Russian Federation was supposed to be ready to start operations in 2030. Now the plans have been adjusted, revised towards reducing the deadlines to 2027.”
Any Russian military offensive to invade or assault NATO nations would activate the alliance’s Article 5, which declares that an assault on one member constitutes an assault on all, requiring others to provide assistance, potentially through military force, to restore peace.
In such circumstances, this would be regarded as the catalyst for comprehensive global conflict.
Budanov maintained that Putin views Russia as an “empire” requiring expansion, with the nation’s “worldview” damaged by “deep historical and psychological traumas”, likely referring to the collapse of the USSR. The intelligence chief stated: “In order for an empire – and they see themselves as an empire – to develop, you always have to move somewhere to expand your influence and territory.”
He pointed out that Putin was boxed in by the US in the Pacific, China elsewhere, and the Arctic. “Only the West remains,” he said, noting how Putin consistently depicts Europe as “hungry”, “sick”, “weak” and “indecisive”.
Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov (right) has claimed Putin could strike in 2027.(Image: AP)
Russia has continued to pummel Ukraine with more missile strikes despite the ongoing peace process.(Image: AP)
According to the alleged battle plans, the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all former Soviet republics – would fall “under occupation”. He added: “Poland is now, according to the plans that we know, considered purely for strikes, for a military campaign without capture.”
When questioned about potential new military action by the BBC at his annual Q&A on Friday, Putin did not dismiss the possibility. His condition was that the West should acquiesce to his demands.
He warned: “There will be no operations if you treat us with respect, if you take our interests into account, just as we always tried to respect yours. And if you do not deceive us, as it happened with NATO’s eastward expansion.”
The autocrat accused Western leaders of having “created this situation themselves and continue fanning the flames by saying they are preparing for war with Russia”.
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