Russian analyst warns European or world war could break out in Ukraine

A European or even World War could be triggered in four in Ukraine after Russia dispatched 4,000 to the disputed border with its neighbour, warns an independent Russian military analyst.

It comes as social media footage footage shows suspected large scale Russian military movements in regions close to rebel-held eastern Ukraine and annexed Crimea.

With tension sharply rising, analyst Pavel Felgenhauer, 69, said it now requires a 'psychoanalyst' to determine Russia's intentions in Ukraine but warned events could see 'war in a month'.

The West has expressed alarm about Moscow's movement of troops and forces, and Felgenhauer says they are right to be concerned as unverified new footage appears to show military movements in Russia's Voronezh, Rostov and Krasnodar regions, along with key railway routes.

'The crisis has the potential to escalate into a pan-European war, if not even a world one,' Felgenhauer warned starkly in an interview with Rosbalt news outlet in Russia.

'But for now, potential. Will it happen or not? Let's wait and see. In the West, they don't know what to do about it.'

Russia yesterday vowed to 'take extra measures' if Nato sends forces to Ukraine after the Kremlin dispatched 4,000 troops to the disputed border with its neighbour.

'No doubt such a scenario would lead to a further increase in tensions close to Russia's borders. Of course, this would call for additional measures from the Russian side to ensure its security,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He insisted, however, that Russia was 'not threatening' Ukraine, despite an earlier statement which warned a war in Donbass would 'destroy' its neighbour.

Footage has emerged showing shows dozens of military helicopters close to the frontier, and the movement of tanks and other military vehicles by train.

The United States pledged its 'unwavering' support to Ukraine on Thursday as defense officials said they were aware of thousands of troops newly-deployed to the separatist Donbass territory, which is controlled by pro-Moscow factions.

Asked why Russia may be pushing for a conflict now, Felgenhauer replied: 'Address this question to a psychoanalyst. Do I need to explain?

'The facts are there, everything is already happening.'

He claimed all the conditions could be in place by early May when Russian will hold a major Red Square parade to mark the anniversary of victory in World War Two, and he suspected a 'decision has been made already'.

Felgenhauer said factors pushing Russia towards seizing land from Ukraine were 'the closure of pro-Russian TV channels in Ukraine, the threat of arrest and trial of Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchyuk, the arrest of Alexei Navalny, [and] President Biden calling Putin a murderer'.

'The threats are growing, and rapidly. Much is not discussed in the media, but we are seeing very bad signs,' he added.

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