Western countries are already concerned that Russia might violate the security of European states. Top generals from NATO have warned that Vladimir Putin could attack targets across Europe in a total war against the West.
Allied commanders told British publication “The Times” that the bloc may only have three years to prepare for a potential Russian offensive on European soil, which would include attacks on civilian and military infrastructure behind front lines to hinder war efforts.
They said that Germany would likely be selected as the central “hub” for NATO’s continental supply lines and that targets could range from ammunition factories and command centers to power plants, railroads, and bridges.
Russia has already used similar tactics during the invasion of Ukraine, launching missiles far from Ukrainian territory, while Ukraine itself responded by targeting ammunition depots, fuel depots, and command posts.
Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, the commander of NATO’s southwestern Germany military logistics center, said: “If we compare war and operations from ten years ago or even five years ago, then we realize that we have to accept that even rear areas will be heavily affected.”
“We have to assume that an aggressor will use the full spectrum of kinetic and non-kinetic forces to destroy communication lines, including in rear areas.”
This ranges from acts of sabotage, to electronic and cyber warfare, and even kinetic capabilities such as missiles, drones, and so on,” the NATO general said.
The NATO general urged world leaders to reduce the bureaucracy that hinders countries’ ability to use weapons and technology from another nation.
Sollfrank said that the rules about who can use what equipment, known as “interoperability”, have significantly slowed down response times.
He gave an example of paratroopers who are legally forbidden from using parachutes made for another nation’s military, even if they are functionally identical.
“Where’s the issue, for example, with a paratrooper from European nation A using a parachute from neighboring nation B after being trained with that system, or attaching equipment from one country to a helicopter from another? If there’s no technical or security issue, then why not?” he asked.
Reducing the seemingly inherent bureaucracy of multinational organizations is crucial in ensuring that NATO is agile enough to fight against Russia.
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