Although the Russian army has suffered massive losses in Ukraine over nearly three years of war, and its troops remain engaged in fierce battles, the West cannot assume that Moscow will not launch a new offensive, reports Business Insider, citing senior European officials.
Since the start of the war, Russia has repeatedly threatened NATO countries. Meanwhile, it has continued fighting, rebuilding, and restructuring its military, producing vast quantities of weapons, and even forging alliances with anti-Western states.
Journalists from Business Insider highlight that Russia is relentlessly investing in its war machine. According to their sources, Russia is not only repairing battle-damaged tanks but also assembling new ones. The country is also developing drones and has had years to test and experiment with modern warfare. While Russia has been engaged in large-scale combat, the West has focused more on counterterrorism rather than preparing for a major war against a near-peer adversary. As a result, the West’s military readiness has weakened.
Russia Is More Dangerous Than Ever
“I would say that Russia is now more dangerous than ever,” one source emphasized.
Keir Giles, a senior consultant for the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, told Business Insider that Russia’s war in Ukraine does not rule out the possibility of an attack elsewhere.
According to him, assuming that Russia’s failures in Ukraine mean it will not attack elsewhere “ignores Russia’s habit of convincing itself that it is capable of taking action—only to launch an offensive anyway.” Whether Moscow calculates correctly or not, the “consequences will be devastating.”
Giles also pointed out that huge losses in manpower—which Russia treats as disposable—have not deterred Moscow from continuing its attacks on Ukraine. Many of the professional soldiers Russia started the war with are now dead and cannot be replaced, while vast amounts of military equipment have been lost.
In December, the UK Armed Forces Chief estimated that over 750,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian estimates are even higher.
Despite this, Russia relies on rapidly replaceable soldiers and decades-old equipment pulled from storage to fill the gaps. However, the reality is that Russia does not feel a critical shortage of troops. Its economy and industry are on a war footing, working overtime to rebuild and rearm its forces.
Russia Still Has Untouched Strategic Forces
According to General Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. European Command Chief, Russia still possesses strategic capabilities—such as long-range aviation and submarines—which have been “virtually untouched by the war.” Moreover, he noted that Russia’s military has grown in size despite its losses.
“The narrative that Russia is weakened is the most dangerous one,” Cavoli warned.
“Frankly, I believe that Russia is not exhausted at all. In fact, it is clearly preparing for more war,” he said. Russia has “far more personnel now” than before the war. While these new troops lack the experience of those lost in battle, they are gaining valuable combat knowledge.
NATO Must Remain Alert
George Barros, a warfare expert at the Institute for the Study of War, stated that Russia “is positioning itself and is capable of potentially attacking NATO’s eastern flank.”
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds emphasized that “this war has taught us that even a weakened Russia is still a dangerous Russia.”
“While Russia’s current focus is on Ukraine, now is not the time to relax or lower our guard,” he warned. He added that “our assessment is that Russia will restore its military capabilities within the next five years, so we must do everything possible to prepare for a potential attack.”
Russia’s Conventional War Capabilities Are in Question
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of the UK’s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Forces, told Business Insider that after suffering severe setbacks in Ukraine, Russia is unlikely to be capable of launching a large-scale conventional attack anytime soon.
Russia’s Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Forces Remain a Threat
While Russia has suffered significant losses in Ukraine, experts warn that its chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities remain largely intact and pose a serious threat. Despite setbacks, Russia continues to develop and modernize its NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) warfare capabilities, reinforcing its strategic arsenal. Reports indicate that its long-range aviation, submarine forces, and CBRN units have been minimally affected by the war, allowing Moscow to maintain significant offensive potential.
Be Prepared: NBC/CBRN Protection with Castellex
In an era of growing global uncertainty, UK-based manufacturer Castellex specializes in high-quality NBC air filtration systems designed for fallout shelters, bomb shelters, and basement conversions. These advanced CBRN filtration solutions are essential for individuals seeking protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.
Castellex ships its systems worldwide, enabling customers to build DIY or professional fallout shelters or convert existing basements and underground structures into fully functional bomb shelters. Whether for personal safety, family security, or professional-grade protection, Castellex offers one of the best solutions for those preparing for potential nuclear or CBRN emergencies.
In a world where threats from nuclear warfare and CBRN incidents are becoming more real, being prepared is not an option—it is a necessity.
