Russia's Military Buildup: A Prelude to War with NATO?

Russia's Military Buildup Near NATO Borders: Is War Imminent? The Wall Street Journal recently reported on Russia's expansion of military bases and infrastructure near its borders with Finland, Norway, and Estonia. Satellite images show significant increases in military facilities, including new barracks, warehouses, and modernized railway lines. The report suggests this activity is a sign of preparation for a potential conflict with NATO. "Putin is expanding bases and preparing to move more troops to European border regions," the WSJ article states. This buildup comes alongside Putin's order to increase the Russian army's size by 1.5 million troops. Additionally, large-scale military exercises, "Zapad-2025," are scheduled to take place in Belarus, near the European Union border. While some view this as a response to Finland and Sweden joining NATO and a show of force by the Kremlin, others point out that similar military posturing preceded the invasion of Ukraine. The situation remains tense and requires close monitoring.