Hospitals in France have been told to be prepared for a possible full-scale war next year, while Germany has placed itself "on guard" ahead of a series of Russian military exercises.
According to documents obtained by Le Canard Enchaine, the French Ministry of Health has instructed healthcare bodies across the country to be ready for a potential "major engagement" by March 2026.
The scenario put forward by the French Government entails the country acting as a supporting state with the ability to take in large numbers of injured troops from countries all across Europe.
The purpose of the Health Ministry's stark warning is to "anticipate, prepare and respond to the health needs of the population while integrating the specific needs of defence in the health field".
The French Ministry of Health has instructed health bodies across the country to be ready for a potential 'major engagement' by March 2026
|GETTY
The Ministry said: "Among the risks identified, therefore, is the hypothesis of a major engagement where the health issue would consist of taking care of a potentially high influx of victims from abroad.
"It is therefore a question for our health system of anticipating the care of military patients in the civilian health system."
The French Government's order comes after Carsten Breuer, the head of Germany's armed forces, revealed that German and Nato troops are in a state of alert before Russian military drills kick off.
Between September 12-16, Russian forces will carry out joint strategic military exercises with Belarus as part of "Zapad 2025".
Carsten Breuer, the head of Germany's armed forces, has revealed that German and Nato troops are in a state of alert before Russian military drills kick off
|GETTY
Belarussian officials have indicated that around 13,000 personnel will be involved in the drills, which will include nuclear weapons training and operations relating to Russia's Oreshnik missile system.
It is the first time in four years that the two countries are engaging in the joint Zapad exercises - making it the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began.
Though Mr Breuer said he does not believe Russian forces will attack Nato during the drills, he noted that Germany would "be on our guard".
The German defence chief said: "We don't have any indication that preparations for an attack are taken under the cover of the exercise.
RUSSIA - READ THE LATEST HEADLINES:
- Ursula von der Leyen's plane forced to land using paper maps after 'Russia disables flight's GPS'
- WATCH: Bizarre moment Vladimir Putin holds hands with Narendra Modi at anti-Nato summit
- Kremlin breaks silence after British toddler 'kidnapped' from holiday hotspot and taken to Russia
- Vladimir Putin's attack dog warns France that Russia will march on Paris as he warns Emmanuel Macron
It is the first time in four years that Russia and Belarus are engaging in the joint Zapad exercises
|GETTY
"But we will be on our guard - not just the German forces, but Nato."
In June, Mr Breuer warned that Vladimir Putin was building up his military to an "enormous extent" and said that Nato allies need to make preparations for a Russian attack within four years.
The alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte cautioned that a Third World War could erupt with simultaneous invasions by Mr Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
He said: "If Xi Jinping would attack Taiwan, he would first make sure that he makes a call to his very junior partner in all of this, Vladimir Putin, residing in Moscow, and telling him: 'Hey, I'm going to do this, and I need you to to keep them busy in Europe by attacking Nato territory.'
PICTURED: Nato members - who makes up the alliance?
| GB NEWS"That is most likely the way this will progress, and to deter them, we need to do two things.
"One is that Nato, collectively, being so strong that the Russians will never do this.
"And second, working together with the Indo-Pacific - something President Trump is very much promoting."
The Kremlin-controlled RT outlet hit back at the Nato chief's warnings, claiming he had "gorged on too many of the magic mushrooms beloved by the Dutch".