According to the head of the Bundeswehr Operational Command, Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank, a limited Russian attack on NATO is possible now. – We need to look at what Russia currently has and what it can do with it, Solfrank said in an interview for Reuters.
– On this basis, Russia could attack NATO territory on a smaller scale tomorrow, the general noted. He added that if Russia continued its arms policy until 2029, a large-scale attack would also be possible. Whether this will happen, however, depends largely on the behavior of the West.
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According to Sollfrank, Russia aims to provoke and test the speed of NATO’s reaction through its hybrid attacks. A feature of these activities is that they are difficult to identify.
– It’s a method. Its purpose is to create uncertainty, fear, cause damage, spy, and test – explained the general. “It’s waging war through intimidation,” Sollfrank added.
The general justified his assessment with the strength of the Russian armed forces. The air force, despite its losses, remains largely intact. The land forces suffered losses, but the number of tanks is large enough that a limited attack is now possible. In addition, Russia plans to increase the size of its armed forces to 1.5 million soldiers.
Sollfrank drew attention to Russia’s strategic orientation, which has been aimed at changing the security architecture in Europe for almost 20 years. Moscow is pursuing this goal despite huge losses in the war with Ukraine. NATO can only counter this by drawing “bright red lines” and deterring through good preparation.
