WW3 alert as Putin builds up new army to ‘prepare for NATO conflict'

Recent reports suggest that Russia is deliberately holding back some of its new military recruits to form a “strategic reserve” of soldiers. Analysts believe this move could be part of preparations for a potential future conflict with NATO, while also signaling that Moscow is committed to continuing its war in Ukraine.

Experts indicate that President Vladimir Putin remains focused on achieving his objectives on the battlefield. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted that Putin “repeatedly puts forward a theory of victory based on slow, incremental advances, allowing Russian forces to wage a war of attrition against Ukraine.” By reserving some troops instead of deploying all reinforcements, Russia appears content with its current pace of progress, despite advances being described as “foot-paced.”

The creation of a reserve force may also suggest plans to intensify offensive operations in Ukraine in the near-to-medium term. Analysts warn that this could be tied to broader preparations for a possible confrontation with NATO. Russia’s ongoing youth military-patriotic programs further reinforce long-term recruitment goals for the armed forces.

Casualty estimates have already been significant. In June 2025, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported that Russian losses from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine reached around one million. The data highlighted that Russian forces have struggled to advance effectively across multiple fronts, captured limited territory, lost considerable equipment, and faced high rates of fatalities and injuries.

Tensions with NATO are also escalating. Estonia recently reported that three Russian jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes, marking the third such incident in just over a week. This followed Russian drones entering Polish and Romanian airspace. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Poland is closer to “open conflict” than at any time since World War II. In response, the United Kingdom announced it would deploy additional RAF jets to provide Warsaw with extra air cover.

These developments underline that Russia’s military strategy may be preparing for prolonged engagement in Ukraine while also signaling readiness for broader geopolitical confrontations in Europe.