Russia's President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured), attends a news conference in Ankara, December 1, 2014. Putin said on Monday Russia could not carry on with the South Stream gas pipeline project
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured), attends a news conference in Ankara, December 1, 2014. Putin said on Monday Russia could not carry on with the South Stream gas pipeline project if the European Union was opposed to it. Reuters/Mikhail Klimentyev

World officials warned previously that degrading international relations can result to more dangerous scenarios with majority of them involving military powers. At the center of the tensions is Russia which reportedly ordered sudden military drills over the Baltic region. Are the Vladimir Putin's military exercises in preparation for perceived attacks?

Russian army lieutenant general Andrey Kartapolov confirmed the drills conducted last December 5 to 10 in Kaliningrad. Newsweek reported that the sudden military exercises commenced 7am Moscow time without warning. Kartapolov explained: "A self-sufficient, multi-purpose army of air, sea and land units was assembled in the period of less than a day in the Kaliningrad area, consisting of units from all branches of the armed forces."

According to the Inquisitr, Russia recommended its officers to be "be battle-ready at all times." There have been concerns over a brewing war with the West possibly World War III or Cold War as new sanctions have been passed. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said that continuous efforts of the US to meddle with Russian affairs will not bode well. He also said: "Are we in the middle of a new Cold War? Indeed we are."

The main point of the snap drills is to subject the military forces and systems to their highest combat level. Vladimir Putin ordered the tests involving: 9,000 servicemen and 642 vehicles. The Iskander ballistic missile system, 55 warships, 100 artillery units and 250 APCs and tanks were also included in the exercises.

Some of the drills were conducted under the impression of European attacks. Previously, Moscow called out NATO previously for increased intelligence flights and air activity in its borders. Now, the Pentagon has confirmed the increased military activity along the borders of Russia. According to RT, the agency claimed that the military buildup is to guarantee maintenance of "peace and stability" in the area. RIA Novosti opened a query about the sudden increase of NATO intelligence flights near Russia. A representative from Pentagon explained that while the presence of military forces has increased, the alliance is carrying out activities "transparently."

Newsweek also added that the Baltic fleet along with military units is intended to form a defense system to repel attacks from Europe.