Russia threatens World War 3 as Putin doubles number of troops on NATO border

13 February 2024 , 12:06

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Putin has doubled the numbers of soldiers along its borders (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Troops stationed along the Russian-NATO border looks set to double in number, as the threat of World War Three steps up.

Finland became a member of Nato in April last year, meaning it is now where Russia meets the large combined joint forces of NATO. According to Estonia, which has been a NATO member for the last 20 years and also shares a border with Russia, Putin is planning to double its soldiers across the borders of the Baltics.

Kaupo Rosin, director-general of the Estonian intelligence service, said: “Russians are planning to increase the military force along the Baltic states’ border but also the Finnish border. We will highly likely see an increase of manpower, about doubling, perhaps. We will see an increase in armed personnel carriers, tanks, artillery systems over the coming years.”

The Estonian intelligence report added that Russia has stationed on its border with Estonia may almost double from the 19,000 that were posted there before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine The report indicates also that along the border with Finland, a new Russian army corps may be established, consisting of two or three manoeuvre units with additional support units.

Estonia emphasises the need for NATO allies to deter Russia by increasing military spending and the country has plans to spend more than three per cent of its GDP on defence this year, exceeding NATO's two per cent target.

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A tank moves along the snow covered road in the direction of Bakhmut on February 11 (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Former American president Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election, said at the weekend that Russia could do “whatever they hell they want” with NATO countries that fail to meet the two per cent target. Mr Rosin replied: “Such statements are never helpful. But probably the Russians are paranoid enough not just to listen to the words which are said but they will definitely look at the actions.”

While Russia currently claims not to be ready for military actions against NATO, they are considering the possibility of conflict in the future. Similar military build-ups were observed along the Russian-Ukrainian border before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Denmark's defence minister also believes there is a threat of attack from Russia in the next three to five years.

Kelly-Ann Mills