NATO’s Membership To Ukraine Could Lead To 3rd World War: Russian Official

The accession of Ukraine to NATO could spark a third global war, according to Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of the Russian Federation's Security Council.

"Kyiv is well aware that such an action would entail a guaranteed escalation to a third World War," Venediktov said in an interview.

Venediktov also reiterated Russia's claim that the West's assistance to Ukraine shows that "they are a direct party to the conflict."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a surprise proposal for fast-track membership in the NATO military alliance at the end of September after President Vladimir Putin staged a ceremony in Moscow to declare the four partially occupied territories annexed Russian territory.

In a recent development, Russian missiles bombarded the city of Mykolaiv on Thursday, after a UN General Assembly vote declared Moscow's annexation of Ukrainian land "illegal" and Ukraine's allies pledged greater military aid.

Russia also used explosive drones to target civilians near Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Thursday, however, no casualties were reported.

The Governor of the Kyiv region, Oleksiy Kuleba said that the strikes were caused by Iranian-made loitering munitions based on early information. These are commonly referred to as 'kamikaze drones.'