Russia tell its citizens the West is hell-bent on nuclear war as tensions with US over Syria escalate
Officials announced last week underground shelters exist which could hold ALL of Moscow
RUSSIA is ramping up fears over nuclear war and blaming the West for the unsettling possibility of a conflict.
As international tension builds following attacks in Syria, Russian state officials are preparing terrified citizens for a nuclear war - which they say would be started by America.
The fear that the West is set for war with Russia is being spread throughout media reports and official statements.
One headline on the website Zvezda last week read "Schizophrenics from America are sharpening nuclear weapons for Moscow" - claiming the US wanted to punish Russia over challenges in the Middle East.
And an emergencies ministry official announced on Friday that underground shelters which could fit the entire population of Moscow - 12 million - if war broke out.
At a level of constant fear of devastating attacks from America, Moscow has carried out at least two nuclear attack drills since Vladimir Putin became the president again in 2012.
Russia currently has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons with 8,400, and a section of its nuclear doctrine which allows for use of the weapons if there is a vague suggestion of a threat.
America has 7,500 warheads, considerably less.
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In the past Dmitry Kiselyov, head of Russia's main news agency, has said only Russia would be able to turn the US into "radioactive ash".
The nerves surrounding Russia's fears of attack have grown from comments made by Ash Carter, the US secretary of defence, who said the Pentagon was reviewing its "nuclear playbook" to ensure against "terrible attacks" by Russia.
Confrontation with the West, and a willingness to continue the rift, is said to be something those in Putin's inner circle are encouraging.
It has previously been reported that Putin is preparing for war with the West.
The Russian president has invested heavily in decking out top secret facilities around Moscow in the event of war.
He has even ordered the building of a 400-square mile facility in the remote wastes of the Ural mountains from where any future conflict could be directed.
Satellite images reveal the location of the huge centre near Mount Yamantau.
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