Russia must announce mass mobilization and enlist at least 500,000, preferably 1 million people into the army to avoid sharing Iran’s fate, said Apti Alaudinov, commander of the “Akhmat” special forces unit and deputy head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of Russia’s Defense Ministry, on Friday.

According to him, World War III has already begun and “entered a new phase.”

“We need to prepare in advance at least 500,000, and ideally one million people. Enlist them and start training,” Alaudinov said.

“So that no one dares to play games with us, the way they’ve played with all other states—now even with Iran—we must, believe me, unite, unite, unite on all levels,” he added.