Key Facts

• Strategic Deception: While Vladimir Putin might not be draining your blood like a vampire, he is quietly siphoning the life energy from the world
• A New Chapter of Escalation: Putin’s growing ambition represents a direct threat to NATO and global security.
• The Arsenal of Aggression: Russia launched its “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile over Dnipro, showcasing devastating firepower.

Putin’s Escalation: A Clear and Present Danger

When the Rich TVX News Network initiated its Chronicles of an Apocalypse series in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many critics dismissed it as sensationalist alarmism. Today, the gravity of the situation has become undeniable. The threat posed by Vladimir Putin and his criminal associates is no longer a hypothetical; it is a looming, tangible reality. Putin’s regime seems increasingly prepared to escalate its actions, with the specter of nuclear weapon use as a tool to assert Russian dominance and intimidate the West. The Kremlin’s willingness to sacrifice millions and perpetuate unchecked aggression serves as a chilling reminder of its unrelenting objectives. Meanwhile, certain Serbian nationalists continue to revere Mother Russia, blind to the extent of Russian propaganda that they have absorbed without question.

Strategic Deception: The Long Game

The roots of Russia’s current trajectory can be traced back to the collapse of the Berlin Wall, a pivotal moment that saw the USSR’s disintegration and the emergence of new geopolitical dynamics. In this period of chaos, Russia employed a series of calculated maneuvers aimed at regaining its geopolitical influence. One such strategy was the orchestration of the Yugoslav Wars, a conflict that diverted NATO’s focus to the Balkans, granting Russia precious time to stabilize its faltering economy. During this window, Western powers—through a combination of economic collaboration and neglect—enabled the rise of Russia’s oligarchic elite, figures who are now widely viewed as pariahs on the global stage. This facilitated Russia’s gradual reemergence as an aggressive international player, undermining democratic values and the rule of law at home and abroad.

Serbia, in particular, remains a pawn in this complex game. Unbeknownst to many, Russia’s support for Serbia has been riddled with deception. While publicly aligned with Belgrade, Moscow secretly supplied weapons to Croatia, including the advanced S-300 missile system, demonstrating a duplicity that remains largely unacknowledged by Serbian nationalists, who remain ensnared in Russia’s web of propaganda.

Nuclear Brinkmanship: A New Chapter of Escalation

The current crisis, exacerbated by Putin’s growing ambition, represents a direct and unprecedented threat to NATO, Ukraine, and global security. Having capitalized on previous successes, Putin is now emboldened, employing nuclear brinkmanship as a means of coercion. Russia’s repeated threats to unleash advanced hypersonic missiles against Western nations have prompted urgent consultations between the UK and NATO, underscoring the increasing severity of the situation. Putin’s calculated use of nuclear threats signals a clear willingness to destabilize the international order to further Russian interests.

Missile Strikes: The Arsenal of Aggression

A striking illustration of Putin’s escalating military capabilities came last week, when Russia launched its “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile over Dnipro, demonstrating terrifyingly advanced firepower. According to Ukrainian sources, Putin is believed to possess up to 10 of these weapons, with plans to ramp up production. Pentagon analysts warn that these missiles could be equipped with nuclear warheads, turning them into a devastating tool of mass destruction. This unchecked aggression is the result of years of Western complacency—whether due to naivety, corruption, or deliberate ignorance—that allowed figures like Milorad Dodik, Aleksandar Vučić, Viktor Orbán, and Putin himself to thrive. Western politicians, particularly those in Germany, Italy, the UK, and the US State Department, turned a blind eye to these dangerous actors, often swallowing Kremlin propaganda and ignoring the mounting atrocities carried out by Russian-backed forces.

NATO’s Alarm Bells: A Dwindling Window of Opportunity

In response to the growing missile threat and the crumbling front lines in Ukraine, NATO has scheduled an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The alliance is now confronted with the harsh reality of a regime that will stop at nothing to achieve its objectives. Putin’s declaration of the right to target the UK and the US, coupled with his threat to strike nations aiding in attacks on Russia, underscores the escalating tensions. The West is now faced with an inescapable choice: either confront this growing threat head-on or risk being drawn into a catastrophic global confrontation. This moment of decision is all the more critical when considering the failures of the past—such as the silence surrounding the Serbian BIA intelligence agency’s assassination attempts against Nikola Sandulović, or the indifference shown toward the growing influence of Russian-backed regimes in the Balkans.

Efforts to curb Russian influence, such as Yale’s List of Shame, which led to a mass exodus of Western businesses from Russia, have been met with little to no response from Serbian media loyal to the Putin regime. This collective inaction—fueled by naivety, corruption, and geopolitical indifference—has ultimately paved the way for the crisis we now face.

The Price of Inaction: An Unfortunate Reality

The West is now reaping the consequences of its years of inaction. The failure to address the root causes of Russia’s resurgence and the unchecked rise of autocratic leaders has left the international community vulnerable to Putin’s escalating aggression. For those who continue to entertain the idea that Russian propaganda is merely rhetoric or that Serbia’s alignment with Moscow is harmless, the stark reality is unfolding before us. As tensions rise and the risk of nuclear conflict looms ever closer, the question must be asked: is the West prepared to confront this threat before it is too late?

Vladimir Putin warns West