RUSSIA has warned the tensions between itself and NATO are "likely to deteriorate" as total war in Europe looks ever more likely.

Sergey Shoigu, Russias defence minister, said the growing NATO presence in Eastern Europe demonstrates blatant unwillingness of Western nations to stop pursuing an anti-Russian agenda.

Shoigu also said Russia would be forced to beef up its defence preparations amid the increased threat of war.

It is related to the growing military activity of NATO countries in Eastern Europe, Shoigu said.

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Putin has an arsenal of state-of-the-art weaponry at his fingertips. Could this be the hardware that wages WW3?

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The T-90 tank: equipped with a 125mm smoothbore cannon and remote controlled anti-aircraft gun

The ongoing developments clearly indicate blatant unwillingness of the Western partners to stop pursuing the anti-Russian agenda.

"The NATO summit in May also demonstrated that, when international terrorism and Russia were placed on the same list of threats.

The NATO buildup includes the modernisation of airfields, ports and other military sites, as well as the deployment of new US missile defence systems.

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NATO forces have been despatched to Estonia, on the Russian border, as a deterrent to increasing Russian aggression. The Ministry of Defence are calling it the largest NATO deployment to Eastern Europe since the Cold War

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20 Armoured Infantry Brigade arrive in the port of Emden, Germany to be loaded and transported to Estonia

The defence minister said NATO's enormous military drills, which involve thousands of troops as well as dozens of military planes and ships, had forced Russia to react.

Such unjustified actions of our Western colleagues lead to erosion of the global security system," he added.

"[These actions] raise mutual suspicions and push us to undertake retaliatory measures, mainly in the western strategic direction.

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WW3 IMMINENT: Russia says tensions with NATO troops 'likely to deteriorate' - Daily Star