War Games? Russian Military Movement Suggests Russia 'Preparing for Possible Conflicts' with NATO, Neighboring Countries: Analysts

Russia recently suggest the West is planning on a direct confrontation with the country, issuing a presidential decree indicating a standoff with NATO is likely.

Citing think tank The Institute for the Study of War, Knewz.com reported that Russia is now "preparing for possible conflicts with Baltic states and NATO."

The suggestion comes after an announcement that the Russian military is planning to make changes to the Leningrad Military District as part of a series of military reforms.

The decree was issued a week after Russia staged a simulation of reactions to a nuclear attack from the West.

The United States and NATO have been strong allies of Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in 2022, but the alliance has been careful to not directly engage with the Kremlin or its forces. Western nations have provided Ukraine with military equipment while stopping short of putting boots on the ground.

The fear is that a direct confrontation could force a third world war. Such a scenario would potentially be catastrophic as Russia has increased its ties to U.S. adversaries China and North Korea.

But there have been some close calls among NATO members and Russia. British and American pilots have had several run-ins with Russia fighter jets that came close to disaster.

Also, in May, Poland reported finding a spent missile from Russia in its territory.

Russian military analyst Yuri Fedorov told independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo that Russia's decision to transfer its four constituent regions - The Komi Republic, Arkhangelsk, and Murmansk oblasts, and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug - to the reformed Leningrad Military District signals preparation for possible conflicts with the Baltic States and NATO, according to Newsweek.

The Leningrad Military District is close in proximity to Finland, a new NATO member, and other Baltic States.

"The MoD’s decision to re-divide the WMD indicates Russia sees the need to restructure its forces facing NATO and likely posture on the Finnish border, although it remains unclear how Russia will be able to mobilize, train, and organize these forces into new military district-level formations," The Institute for the Study of War wrote.

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Fedorov said Russia's restructuring is likely designed for the time after a war has been settled. He added that NATO, the United States and Europe will likely deploy forces near the Russia border of their countries to deter Russia from aggression, according to Newsweek.

"Russia will face an even more difficult task, because the army is battered, modern weapons are being depleted, the war has revealed a lot of weak points in the army. They will strive to recreate armed forces capable of waging war in Europe and with Ukraine and NATO in the Western theater," Fedorov said.