The Daily Star's FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox Sign up today! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

(Image: GETTY)

Reports of preparations for World War 3 with the US have reportedly dominated the media over the past few days.

NTV – which is close to the Kremlin – warned viewers: “everyone of you should know where the nearest bomb shelter is.”

The country appears to be priming the public for an apocalyptic confrontation with the West.

State officials and the media have warned the US is about to launch an all-out attack after cutting ties with Russia over its bombing campaign in Syria.

Russia held civil defence drills for 40 million citizens in apparent preparation for an apocalyptic nuclear war.

Officials were told to fly relatives living abroad back to Russia, in a move which analysts described as preparations for “big war”.

(Image: AFP)

The NTV report warned: “If it should one day happen, every one of you should know where the nearest bomb shelter is.

“It’s best to find out now.”

NTV is owned by energy giant Gazprom – which is majority state-owned.

Earlier this month, Putin’s ministers announced they had built nuclear bunkers capable of holding all of Moscow’s 12 million residents.

Ash Carter, US secretary of state, has told the Pentagon Russia could be plotting a "unprecedentedly terrible attack" using its superior nuclear firepower.