Risk of nuclear war high, European countries ask people to stock up food, water

The chilling threat of a nuclear war seems closer than ever. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold when Russia could use nuclear weapons. This came after threats from Ukraine that it would use long-range American missiles to hit it. Nato countries, feeling that chill, issued pamphlets to their citizens, advising them on how to prepare for war.

In the pamphlets, Sweden warned its residents to “shelter” amid fears of nuclear war breaking out, according to The Mirror of the UK. The pamphlet, issued just five times since World War II, has been sent to every Swedish household.

Norway also issued emergency pamphlets advising people to manage for a week in case of an emergency, including an all-out war.

SHELTER TO PREPARE RATIONS, NATO COUNTRIES TO CITIZENS

Denmark has already sent emails to its citizens to stock up on dry rations, water and medicines so that they could manage for three days of emergency, including a nuclear attack.

Finland, too, updated its online brochure on “preparing for incidents and crises” amid the escalating Russia-Ukraine war.

While Finland joined the US-led Nato military grouping last year, Sweden joined in March this year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The panic amongst the Nato countries comes after US President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to use long-range missiles that have a powerful blast impact to attack targets deep inside Russia.

The US-made missiles are known as Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and have a range of over 300km.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear his intentions of using those missiles against Russia.

“Today, much is being said in the media about us receiving permission for the relevant actions. But strikes are not made with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves,” Zelenskyy said.

UKRAINE GETS LONG-RANGE MISSILES, NATO WARNS

It was in response to this that Putin lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons on the 1,000th Day of the Russia-Ukraine War.

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

Simply put, it means Russia would consider using nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if it is supported by nuclear powers.

Russia is a nuclear power, having one of the largest nuclear warheads in the world, while Ukraine gave up its entire nuclear stockpile. Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal, then the world’s third largest and inherited from the Soviet Union, in 1994. But Ukraine is backed by several nuclear powers, including the US.

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 to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives. Gotta lock in those $Trillions. Life be damned!!! Imbeciles!” he wrote on X.

There is no doubt that the war between Russia and Ukraine, which started on February 24, 2022, has widened and placed the world on the edge. Russia has engaged North Korean soldiers on the frontlines.

The preparation for war also depends on if a nation borders with 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 in World War II.

But Sweden has only started gearing up for a World War recently.

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

Finns were questioned on how they would fend for themselves in the winter temperatures as low as -20C.

Their list includes iodine tablets and easy to cook food, pet food and a backup power supply.

The Swedish checklist involves potatoes, cabbage, carrots and eggs and bolognese sauce, prepared blueberry and rosehip soup.

Several countries of Nato now fear a war and are gearing up for it.

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