One of Russian President Vladimir Putin 's close cronies - whose finger was on the Russian nuclear trigger for four years - has directly threatened atomic war on the world.
Dmitry Medvedev, 57 - who served as the President of Russia between 2008 and 2012 and Prime Minister of the country between 2012 and 2020 - claims the West must accede to Moscow’s demands to avoid doomsday.
The Kremlin figurehead went on to insist that if Ukraine wants to win the war, which has been going on since the 24 February - which would mean retaking territory which has been invaded by Putin, it could justify the Kremlin using nuclear weapons.
Medvedev 57-year-old went on to post a chilling analysis on Telegram.
He stated: “The well-known thesis of Western countries is: ‘ Russia cannot be allowed to win the war.' What does it really mean?
“Follow the simple formal logic. If it is not Russia who wins, it is apparently Ukraine."
He continued to write: “The aim of Ukraine in the war is identified by the Kiev regime - the return of all the territories that previously belonged to it.
“That is, to alienate them from Russia. It is a threat to the existence of our state - and the disintegration of present-day Russia.
“And hence, a direct reason to apply clause 19 of the Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence.”
The clause specifies the conditions under which nuclear weapons may be used by the Russian president.
The former tyrant is well known for previously issuing extreme hardline statements - with this being a sign to some analysts that he is positioning himself for a new term as president if Putin, 70, falters though health problems or failure in the war.
Currently, Medvedev is employed as the head of Putin’s security council, and is believed to be ingratiating himself with Russian war hawks.
These hardline men are said to favour sharp military escalation in Russia, and might even aim to bring Putin down if he does differently to their advices.
Speaking about the use of nuclear weapons on the West and how this would be the 'final victory' for his country, Medvedev said: “And who plans a nuclear conflict then, let me ask?
“What is it but a direct provocation of a world war with the use of nuclear weapons? Let us call things by their proper names.
“Western countries are pushing the world towards a global war. And only a complete and final victory for Russia is a guarantee against world conflict.”
On Tuesday, Medvedev alleged in talks with Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa that the decision to incorporate swathes of Ukraine into the Russian Federation was “based upon the will of local residents” - even though referendums were seen across the world as rigged and bogus.
Again hinting at the use of nuclear weapons, Medvedev said: “That will is permanent.
“We would never allow anyone to tear away the territories in question and [we] will resort to using all available means in order to protect everyone living there.”
According to a statement provided by the ruling political party, United Russia, Medvedev also thanked the leader for his 'balanced' approach to the Ukrainian crisis and the referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR respectively), as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions.
In June 2020 the Russian government made public a document under the title Fundamentals of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence.
Clause 19 outlines the conditions to the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation.
The clause states: “The conditions determining the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation are:
"a) the receipt of reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territories of the Russian Federation and (or) its allies;
"b) the use by the enemy of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction in the territories of the Russian Federation and (or) its allies.”
