Russia Prepares for Large-Scale Conflict Against NATO: ISW

The Russian Federation is preparing for a large-scale conflict against NATO, utilizing conventional weaponry. The head of the Ministry of Defense has announced that Russian military planners intend to establish two combined arms forces and 14 divisions, along with 16 brigades, by the end of 2024. This information was reported by Euronews.com.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia is gearing up for a substantial conflict with NATO. Analysts at the institute have evaluated several financial, economic, and military indicators of Russia.

The analytical center notes that while the conflict will not occur imminently, it is expected to take place sooner than some Western analysts originally anticipated. Experts believe that Vladimir Putin is likely trying to create conditions for stabilizing Russia's long-term financial position under a higher level of state spending.

Simultaneously, Russian military forces continue to implement structural reforms while countering the war in Ukraine and expanding Russia's long-term capabilities in preparation for a potential large-scale conflict with NATO.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen Russia's military potential. He emphasized that Russian military planners are on track to establish two combined arms forces and 14 divisions, along with 16 brigades by the end of 2024.

ISW assesses that Russia currently lacks the manpower, military infrastructure, and training capabilities to adequately fill the new divisions being created with army-level formations in the near and medium-term future.