President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to be on full combat readiness for an all-out war with Ukraine, which the Kremlin say will lead to a wider conflict with NATO and the Western world.

Sputniknews.com reports:

Snap combat readiness checks will take place on August 25-31 in Russia’s Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.

“Today, another unannounced inspection begun in accordance with a decision by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Forces of the Southern [military district], as well as parts of the forces of the Western and Central military districts, the Northern Fleet, the High Command of the Aerospace Forces, the command of the Airborne Troops are set on full combat readiness starting 7:00 Moscow time [4:00 GMT],” Shoigu said at a meeting with military leadership.

According to the minister, the inspection will allow to assess how the three military would react to crises in the country’s southwest.