PUTIN’S polonium assassin has issued a chilling warning Britons will have “nowhere to hide” in the event of World War Three.

Andrey Lugovoy – the man accused of carrying out one of Britain’s most notorious poisonings – claimed no bunker could save Brits if someone were to push the big red button.

Putin's 'nuclear poisoner' Andrey Lugovoy warns Britons that underground shelters will not make them safe from Russian strikes.Andrey Lugovoy has warned there will be nowhere for Brits to hide if WW3 kicks offCredit: East2West NATO holds STEADFAST DART 26 exercise in GermanyThe former FSB operative claims fears of new conflict are rising mounting across the UKCredit: Reuters

British authorities allege the former FSB operative slipped polonium-210 into Alexander Litvinenko’s tea at a London hotel in 2006.

The Kremlin critic died a slow and agonising death, while his suspected assassin returned to Russia, beyond the reach of UK justice.

Years later, Lugovoy says fear is once again spreading across Britain.

He claims a growing number of Britons are bracing for a new global conflict – and taking drastic steps to prepare.

The hardline Russian MP is not alone in these assertions.

German army general, Wolf-Jürgen Stahl said Putin will cause Europe to suffer ““.

To that end, the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff has warned Britain must be prepared to sacrifice its “sons and daughters”.

Consequently, many are investing in private nuclear bunkers in anticipation of armageddon, according to Lugovoy.

Citing research by UK firm Public First, he said 43 per cent of Britons fear the outbreak of World War Three within the next five years – a 13 per cent rise since March last year.

He described this as “a logical consequence of the hyped-up Russian threat, as is the new trend among Britons to build individual bunkers.”

The Kremlin ally pointed to the reported rise in bunker construction by British company Burrowed LTD as evidence of what he portrayed as mounting panic.

“In the panic whipped up by the British establishment, people are trying to somehow ensure the safety of themselves and their families,” said Lugovoy.

He then delivered a sinister taunt: “Do you think the bunkers would help the Brits in the event of a real conflict?”

The remarks add to already fraught tensions between London and Moscow.

Britain has repeatedly petitioned the Kremlin to extradite Lugovoy to stand trial in the UK over Litvinenko’s murder.

Vladimir Putin has refused this request, even after the European Court of Human Rights found he and his partner in crime Dmitry Kovtun were guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Former Russian Agent Poisoned In LondonLugovoy is thought to be one of two men who carried out the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 Russian President Vladimir Putin Hosts Ceremony With Separatist Leaders Of Ukrainian Regions After ReferendumVladimir Putin has refused to extradite Lugovoy to stand trial in the UKCredit: Getty

Lugovoy, on the other hand, maintains his innocence.

He claims he was framed by British intelligence or anti-Putin Russian emigres.

Kovtun passed away three years ago – his death was initially blamed on complications from a Covid infection.

However, Lugovoy has since revealed he died with “.”

When asked whether this cancer was caused by a dose of the same polonium-210 that killed Litvinenko 19 years ago, Lugovoy declined to comment.

However, a trail of the substance traced via plane seats led back to Moscow and to Germany – where Kovtun was based at the time.

Radioactive traces were found at the hotels where the hitmen stayed in London.

In a shocking twist, Ukrainian cyber resistance group Inform-Napalm revealed Lugovoy is now struggling with prostate cancer of his own.

A leaked medical report said doctors had recommended “radical” treatment, but Lugovoy “refused surgery and radiation therapy in writing”.

It added: “The patient prefers the tactics of active observation.”

: Russian businessman Dmitry Kovtun attends an interview on Ekho Moskvy radio in MoscowLugovoy’s partner in crime, Dmitry Kovtun, died three years ago from Covid-related complications Putin's 'nuclear poisoner' Andrey Lugovoy warns Britons that underground shelters will not make them safe from Russian strikes.Leaker documents have revealed Lugovoy is now suffering from prostate cancerCredit: East2West