I think the BBC meant "Sir Mike Jackson prevented an altercation that risked starting World War III", but what do I know, I'm not a journalist or editor.
Rumor has it he started singing down a megaphone in the general direction of the Russians "You're beautiful"... like a siren of the sea the Russians fell under his intoxicating spell as surrendered the air field. Either that or they surrendered to make him stop.
It wouldn't have caused World War III no more than conflict in Afghanistan could have... Rusia had no significant allies, and it's not in a position to really enter a war. There is nothing for people in charge to win in this.
Apparently, we are in this future where everyone is a world-hero for 15 minutes.
This sounds along the lines that The Hoff was responsible for the Berlin Wall coming down...