Russia World War 3 threat: Putin approves first coastal SUPERSONIC missile defence launch

RUSSIAN war games came to the Arctic today as Vladimir Putin authorised the first-ever use of his Bastion coastal missile complex north of the polar circle.

Russian Navy test-fire HUGE Onyx missile

Chilling video footage shows the launch of Oniks - or Onyx - supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from Kotelny island off the north coast of Siberia.

The military exercise involved an attack on supposed enemy ships in the pristine Arctic.

Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda said today that the plan had been successfully implemented.

RIA Novosti also reported the exercise had gone according to plan, citing military sources.

One Bastion complex can be equipped with up to 36 Oniks cruise missiles protecting 375 miles of sea shore.

The exercise was staged on Kotelny, part of the Novosibirsk chain of islands between the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian seas.

Ahead of the test firing of the P-800 Oliks, Russian northern fleet spokesman Captain Vadim Serga said: "Missiles will be fired on a remote target imitating a group of surface ships of the simulated enemy.”

Thye Bastion deployment was made recently to the far-flung island as part of Putin’s drive to modernise Russian defences in the Arctic.

Russia World War 3 threat

Russia World War 3 threat: Putin has authorised a huge show of military force (Image: Anna Liesowska /east2west news / GETTY)

This coincides with Moscow making new claims on vast mineral riches under the Arctic ice.

Until now the the Rubezh missile complex was the main weapon of coastal units of the Northern Fleet stationed on the island, said Serga.

Earlier this month Russia staged the biggest war games since Cold War times in the Far East of the country.

The Russian defence ministry regular posts footage of its latest missile tests.

Putin critics accuse him of an increased militarisation in Russia.

Russia news

Russia news: Vladimir Putin has authorised a huge missile launch (Image: Anna Liesowska /east2west news)

But he has claimed that he is merely ensuring his vast territories are adequately defended with modern equipment.

It comes after the King of Jordan Abdullah II issued a stark warning of “third World War” due to the spread of “global terror”.

He told the UN yesterday: “The United Nations was born from the ashes of the Second World War out of a deep desire to protect new generations from suffering, destruction and wars.

"Today these hopes still face challenges, peace and stability face threats.

"Too many people keep being excluded from the promise of prosperity, and global terror continues to target all nations here in this chambers.

“I called it a third World War."

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