The report states that Russian leader Vladimir Putin perceives relations with the West as a systemic conflict and is ready to use violence to achieve his goals.
A new report by the Federal Intelligence Service of Germany and the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) states that the Russian authorities are probably preparing for a large -scale war against NATO, the German Bild said.
The report states that Russian leader Vladimir Putin perceives relations with the West as a systemic conflict and is ready to use violence to achieve his goals.
By the end of the decade, Russia can be fully prepared for a “conventional large -scale war”.
According to an estimate by the Lithuanian VSD Information Service, the Kremlin does not currently have the ability to attack the entire alliance. However, the Russians can “try NATO” with a small military operation against one or more bloc countries, thus determining how seriously the alliance takes its commitments.
According to the report, despite the gathering of Russian troops in Ukraine, the Russian Air Force and the Navy remain in a fight. Once the war in Ukraine was over, Russian units could grow quickly on the Baltic border. The report notes that “Russian losses are replenished” and the country’s defense industry produces more than needed for the current conflict.
Russia’s costs are rising at a record rate and in 2025, they will reach about 120 billion euros, amounting to more than 6% of Russian GDP. Compared to 2021, Russia’s military budget has quadrupled. According to the Kremlin’s plans, the size of the army is going to increase to 1.5 million staff, while the volume of weapons and equipment on the NATO border is expected to increase by 30-50%.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, relations between Kremlin and NATO remain strained. Russian authorities periodically threaten the countries of the Alliance, using nuclear rhetoric and performing military exercises near the NATO border.
Western partners continue to support Ukraine, supplying weapons and enhancing sanctions against Russia.
Last year, Estonian intelligence services said Russia was actively preparing for a new military conflict, which could include a controversy with NATO. Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also acknowledged the possibility of a war between Russia and NATO and urged the allies to be prepared for possible threats.
Lithuania President Gitanas Nausėda recently said that Russia could launch a new attack in a few years. In his opinion, Lithuania has four to five years to prepare.
Source: Capital.gr