Russian state-controlled television is warning of World War Three if Nato troops enter Ukraine. Propagandists have taken to the airwaves in Russia to say that this would involve the use of "tactical" nuclear weapons.
Leaders of Nato countries have been meeting in Brussels in recent days. The Mirror reports that speculation is mounting that Nato member country Poland could seek a mandate from the alliance for peacekeepers to enter Ukraine.
The country has so far proved more durable than many, including reportedly Moscow, had expected. But a month after Russia's invasion, its cities continue to be bombarded by air raids and President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged more action from Nato.
Pro-Kremlin TV pundits have singled out Poland, in particular, and suggested it is seeking a land grab to take back territory that was once part of the country such as the city of Lviv. Presenter Vyacheslav Nikonov claimed Russian truck drivers had reported "an accumulation" of US and Polish soldiers on the border between the two countries.
Olga Skabeyeva, who hosts the TV show 60 Minutes on the state-owned channel Rossiya 1, said: "As for me Poland strives not just to fulfil a peacekeeping mission, but to stake out the territories which they consider belonging to them historically. If NATO members send peacekeepers to Ukraine…
"They should understand that this will represent a direct clash between the armed forces of Russia and NATO. And how this collision will end is probably not worth explaining … this is called World War Three.”
On Kremlin-controlled Channel 1, Colonel Yury Knutov said the intervention of Nato troops would lead to nuclear conflict. He said: "If there are any sane people left in Nato, they will not approve [a peacekeeping] operation [in Ukraine]. Why? Because [a collective] Nato decision will mean a de facto declaration of war on Russia ... this would be a Casus belli, meaning war between Russia and Nato.
"To win this war, whether we like it or not, we will have to use tactical nuclear weapons in the theatre of operations. This will then entail the use of powerful strategic nuclear weapons … which means universal nuclear war.”
Poland has also been warned by Russian state TV commentators that Moscow will also escalate the conflict to nuclear levels if the country was to act independently of Nato. The butcher of Chechnya, veteran Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov, told Channel 1: "Don’t you Poles dare poking in here, even 10 metres.
"You’ll be hit immediately with the whole might of our Kalibr [cruise missiles]. And with all the might of artillery and aviation. This is not a nuclear weapon, but an ordinary one. And then the praised Polish army will run - knees up high - right back to Warsaw.”
But amid the tough talk, reports are also beginning to surface of cracks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his top generals. Defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who Putin reportedly blames for the invasion's failure so far, has not been seen for 13 days amid claims he has "heart problems".
Meanwhile, Anatoly Chubais, who gave Putin his first job at the Kremlin, has resigned over his opposition to the war and fled Russia. Reports suggest he has no intention of returning.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
