British admiral: Russia doesn't want a conflict with NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't really want a conflict with NATO because in that scenario Russia would quickly lose, Head of the UK's Armed Forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Tuesday, Report informs citing Business Insider.

Speaking at an event in London, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said that "the inescapable fact is that any Russian assault or incursion against NATO would prompt an overwhelming response."

Radakin said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had shown it to be "significantly less capable than we anticipated."

"Its Air Force has failed to gain control of the air. Its Navy has seen 25% of its vessels in the Black Sea sunk or damaged by a country without a Navy," Radakin said, referring to Ukraine's successes in the Black Sea.

He added: "Russia's Army has lost nearly 3,000 tanks, nearly 1500 artillery pieces, and over 5,000 armored fighting vehicles."