Russia is on the brink of "collapse" and the world needs to prepare for potential nuclear chaos inside the country, a military expert has claimed. Retired general Ben Hodges, who once served as commander of the United States Army in Europe, suggested that Vladimir Putin 's country could break up into several small states as its days as a unified republic are numbered. The former senior US military commander, who has been a regular commentator on Russia 's war in Ukraine , warned that if this