MOSCOW – Russians have been told to be prepared for a Third World Warwhich could be sparked off by the crisis in Syria, a state-run Russian TVchannel has reported.

The Kremlin-owned channel suggested the ideal supplies for survival andtold people to pack iodine to protect the body from radiation while takingrefuge in bomb shelters.

The report on Rossiya-24 came amid deep tensions over Syria and as a topmilitary analyst warned that the world is already witnessing a second CubanMissile Crisis.

Alexander Golts told Rain TV in Moscow, “A year ago when I said we hadentered a new Cold War, nobody agreed with me. Now everyone agrees but ithas become clear that events in this second Cold War develop a lot quicker.It’s only just started and, here you go, we already have Cuban MissileCrisis 2.0”.

The bomb shelter advice included stated, “The food supply for doomsdayincludes many items but the main idea behind packing an emergency stock isless sweets, more water. Viewers were told to pack rice – it can be storedfor up to eight years, oatmeal for three to seven years”.

Experts “say that it is also necessary to take supplies of medicines withiodine that help body deal with radiation”.