Russia has threatened to send troops to storm European capitals, as tensions between NATO and the Kremlin surge. Western intelligence agencies have warned that Moscow is stepping up its hybrid war attacks on Europe.

They claim that the Kremlin is preparing for war with NATO and that Vladimir Putin could be ready to attack by as early as 2029. The Russian president has done little to ease fears that he harbours even greater ambitions should his forces prevail in Ukraine. And he poured more fuel on the flames, when asked to comment on recent remarks by the Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who claimed Europe was preparing a war against Russia.

Putin cautioned European leaders that they would face certain and rapid defeat if they dared attack Russia.

“If Europe suddenly wants to start a war with us and starts it, then it would end so swiftly for Europe that Russia would have no one left to negotiate with,” he replied.

To increase the pressure on Western leaders, the Kremlin sent out its top attack dog to stir things up.

Vladimir Solovyov is one of Russia’s leading propagandists who has not been afraid to dish out some verbal rough treatment to Western leaders. All have suffered at the hands of the propaganda maestro – including Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer.

Solovyov was up to his old tricks again on Tuesday, as he took to the airwaves to threaten the West in another carefully scripted rant.

“Once again we will have to destroy Berlin, and enter this godforsaken city,” he said.

“Once again we will have to enter Paris. Once again we will have to liberate Vienna. Well perhaps the Austrians will reconsider.

“It doesn’t mean that we want this. But one of the principles postulated by our supreme commander-in-chief is when we are forced to act then we act.

“First, of course, the principle of ‘do no harm’ but then…please don’t blame us.”

The Kremlin stooge was transported from the comfort of his TV studio and taken to Pokrovsk for a publicity stunt last week.

A decidedly uncomfortable-looking Solovyov was filmed in army fatigues and holding a Russian flag, supposedly somewhere in the embattled city, which Putin’s forces have still not been able to fully seize.