Putin 'preparing for war with NATO' amid rumours of huge recruitment drive

Russia is not interested in ending the war in Ukraine and is preparing to go into battle with NATO, it has been claimed.

Experts fear Vladimir Putin is building a strategic reserve of new military recruits as he prepares to head into "direct conflict" with the military alliance. It comes as sources say almost 300,000 people have agreed to join the Russian Ministry of Defence since the start of the year.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, the number of new recruits is now increasing by an average of almost 8,000 per week. A number of the additions were part of a strategic reserve of forces that Russia has been building since early July 2025, it has been claimed.

READ MORE: UK 'will confront' Russian jets as Yvette Cooper warns Vladimir Putin: 'We stand by our friends'

READ MORE: UK warns Putin after 'serious escalation' as it completes RAF jets NATO mission

The insider added that the reports "indicate that the Kremlin is not interested in ending its war against Ukraine but remains committed to achieving its war goals on the battlefield and may be preparing for a conflict with [NATO]", MailOnline report.

"The reported creation of a strategic reserve as part of wider Kremlin preparations for a possible Russia-NATO conflict in the future, particularly as Russia intensifies its youth military-patriotic programmes that aim to recruit Russian youth into the military in the years to come," the source added.

On Monday, the UK's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a stern warning to "warmongering" Putin that Britain will confront Russian jets that invade the airspace of NATO allies. Putin sent three fighter jets into Estonia - a NATO member - in an "unprecedentedly brutal" escalation on Friday. The MIG-31 jets entered without permission and these Russia aircraft reportedly flew over the Vaindloo Island area and stayed in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Ms Cooper sent a message to Putin: "Your reckless actions risk a direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. Our alliance is defensive but be under no illusion, we stand ready to defend NATO's skies and NATO's territory. We are vigilant, we are resolute, and if we need to confront planes that are operating in NATO airspace without permission, we will do so."

The jets did not have two-way radio communication with local air traffic controllers and their transponders turned off. Officials in Estonia blasted Putin's government for the violation and marked the incursion "unprecedentedly brutal". NATO confirmed the organisation intercepted the aircraft, saying: "Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. Nato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond."

The country's Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, said he could invoke NATO's Article 4, which calls for discussions among allies over threats to territorial security. Michal, on X, wrote: "This morning, 3 Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations."

US President Donald Trump has hit out at Russia following the audacious incident, telling reporters he will shortly be briefed on the matter. The US Commander-in-chief said: "I don't love it I don't like when that happens. It could be big trouble, but I'll let you know later."