Russian Parliament: Western-backed Ukrainian Attack Brings Third World War

JAKARTA - Russia's deputy parliament said the Western-backed Ukrainian attack had brought the world closer to a massive global war.

Ukrainian troops crossed the border into Russian Kursk territory on August 6 and have since moved forward significantly, forcing Moscow to evacuate more than 200,000 people from their homes.

Considering the presence of Western military equipment, the use of weapons and Western missiles in attacks on civilian infrastructure, and undisputed evidence regarding foreign participation in attacks on Russian territory, we can conclude that the world is on the verge of collapse, a third world war," said Russia's deputy parliament, Mikhail Sheremet. RIA news agency, Friday, August 16.

Sheremet, a member of Russia's parliamentary defense committee, agreed with Putin to say NATO countries have given the green light to the planned attack.

Putin's aide, Nikolai Patrushev, on Friday also accused the West of being behind the attack, in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper.

Patrushev said NATO and Western intelligence agencies were involved in Kursk's operations planning, although he did not provide evidence.

Ukraine and its allies say Russia is receiving aid in its war efforts from China, Iran, and North Korea.

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his promise to strengthen cooperation with Russia and expressed his belief Moscow would win in a holy war for peace and justice.