World War 3 coming? 450 million people, 27 countries warned after Russia missile strike

The European Union has reportedly warned the bloc's 450 million people to prepare for a World War-like situation

The European Union has reportedly warned the bloc's 450 million people to prepare for a World War-like situation. The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that the EU urged citizens across the continent to stockpile food, water, and other essentials to last at least 72 hours.

Russia said it fired cruise missiles from its Ufa attack sub(REUTERS)

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could be capable of launching another attack in Europe by 2030. “If anyone were to miscalculate and think they can get away with an attack on Poland or on any other ally, they would be met with the full force of this fierce alliance. Our reaction will be devastating,” the 27-nation bloc's chief said in Warsaw.

His statement came hours after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed dozens.

"This has to be very clear to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and anyone else who wants to attack us," Rutte added. It is unclear if EU's warning was directly related to the Russian strike.

Meanwhile, Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said that ‘threats facing Europe are more complex than ever'.

EU chief Rutte warned that Russia is capable of launching another major attack on European soil.

Let's not forget that Russia is and is remaining the most significant and dark threat to our alliance. Let's not forget that Russia is moving into a wartime economy, and that will have a huge impact on their capacity and capability to build their armed forces.”

Kremlin also fired cruise missiles from its Ufa attack sub in the Sea of Japan. Russian state media claimed that the missiles hit a land target over 620 miles away in the Khabarovsk region, as well as a naval target.

Reacting to the claims, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of ‘manipulations and threats’. “We don’t believe them. The world really doesn’t believe Russia. Unfortunately, even now, even today, on the very day of negotiations, we see how the Russians have already begun to manipulate."

NATO members fear that if the Ukraine war ends favouring Russia, Putin could threaten other countries in the region in the coming years.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned Russia on Wednesday that the alliance would always stand by Poland or any other member and that its reaction to an attack would be “devastating.”

NATO members along the eastern flank of the 32-member alliance, particularly Poland and the Baltic states, are extremely worried that the talks could end with a settlement that is favourable to Russia.

They fear such an outcome would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to rebuild his country's forces and threaten other countries in the region in the coming years.