In a chilling forecast, a retired Kremlin military official has sounded the alarm on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggesting that nuclear warfare is not just a possibility, but an "inevitable" outcome. This grim prediction comes from none other than the author of Russia's War Bible, retired Major General Alexander Vladimirov.

Vladimirov, in a candid conversation with journalist Vladislav Shurygin, opined that the only barrier preventing Russia from deploying nuclear weapons is a directive from President Vladimir Putin. He stated, "For the transition to the use of weapons of mass destruction, only one thing is needed — a political decision by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief." This assertion underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for escalation.

The retired major general's perspective is rooted in the belief that the ongoing power tussle between Russia and Western nations will inevitably lead to the deployment of "weapons of mass destruction." He elaborated, "The goals of Russia and the goals of the West are their survival and historical eternity. And this means that in the name of this, all means of armed struggle available to them will be used, including such a tool as their nuclear weapons."

Vladimirov's conviction is not merely theoretical. He strongly advocates for immediate action, urging current Kremlin officials to commence nuclear warfare training for troops. He emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, "The sooner our politicians and leadership realize this, the sooner we start to train troops and the population for this. The more chances we will have for survival, which means victory." He further stressed the significance of training in enhancing Russian troops' "ability to wage war under the conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction."

Adding to the mounting concerns, last week saw an announcement from the head of the Russian Space Agency, Yury Borisov. He revealed that Putin's prized nuclear missile, known as the Satan-2, has been activated for combat duty for the first time. This missile, boasting a speed of nearly 16,000 mph, has the capability to reach the U.K. in less than six minutes. In a previous statement, Putin ally Dmitry Kiselyov had ominously warned former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson about the missile's devastating potential, suggesting it could obliterate the U.K. with a single strike.

The international community watches with bated breath as tensions escalate, hoping that diplomacy and dialogue will prevail over the ominous predictions of nuclear conflict.