Former Russian president makes disturbing threat to strike after general claims World War 3 has already begun

A Russian general has claimed World War 3 has already 'started', and a former Russian president has urged strike action on the West.

Vladimir Putin's major general Apti Alaudinov, who is considered a top dog in Russia's military leadership, is urging the Kremlin to move a staggering number of troops to attend to the Israel-Iran conflict.

The 51-year-old deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces has reportedly asked for one million soldiers to mobilise to the area after Israel's latest attack on its Middle Eastern rivals.

Israel struck at least six military bases around Tehran, including Parchin, residential homes in complexes for military commanders, and other residential buildings.

Officials in Iran said the attacks were targeted assassinations.

Posting on Telegram, Alaudinov said: "We need to declare mobilisation.

"We need to prepare at least half a million people in advance. But realistically one million people," reports The Mirror.

Apti Alaudinov is urging for the mass mobilisation of troops (SERGEI BOBYLYOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Chechnya native, allegedly involved in fueling propaganda for the military, also claimed the attack has 'already taken on a new turn and a new momentum'.

“We need to call them up and start preparing them for the fact that the war has already begun, which we already know is happening - World War III," he stated. "And so that no one dares to play with us the way they played with all the other countries, and now with Iran. Believe me, we all need to unite, unite, unite at all levels.”

The comments come as Dmitry Medvedev, who was Russia's president between 2008 and 2012, urged his country to fight back against NATO and against what he describes as US President Donald Trump's 'Western aggression'.

Dmitry Medvedev is calling for strikes against the US (Contributor/Getty Images)

Trump has proposed a 50-day 'ultimatum' for Putin to end the Ukraine war once and for all with a ceasefire, or else face tough economic sanctions.

This move to ramp up arms support with more missiles and weapons to Kyiv also peeved Moscow off, with Russian officials adding it would not bow to the so-called 'blackmail' of the ultimatum.

Medvedev, deputy chairman for Russia’s Security Council, said: “What is happening today is a proxy war, but in essence it is a full-scale war, [with] sanctions packages, loud statements about the militarisation of Europe," as per Joe. "It’s another attempt to destroy the ‘historical anomaly’ hated by the West – Russia, our country.”

Tensions are beginning to rise between the two leaders, photographed here in 2018 (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The politician urged for strikes, adding: "We need to act accordingly. To respond in full. And if necessary, launch pre-emptive strikes.”

Meanwhile, Alaudinov also shared a message from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei whom demanded 'severe retribution' against Israel.

Khamenei said Israel will face 'severe punishment' for the latest attack which killed top military officials and scientists.

He accused Israel of having 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers'.