German intelligence warns of potential Russian attack on NATO by 2026
6:05 AM EDT, March 17, 2024
Russia may attack NATO territories as early as 2026, according to an analysis by German intelligence that is reportedly circulating among members of the federal government. The outlined conclusions have "leaked" to journalists at the German Business Insider.
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According to the document quoted, Russia is gearing up for a large-scale conflict with the West. This is evidenced by the reorganization of Putin's army, the deployment of military units, an increase in missiles in the west of the country, and boosted arms production.
The report suggests that the increase in weapons production could potentially double Russia's military strength within the next five years, particularly in the area of conventional weapons.
Is 2026 a key date?
The report posits that Russia might launch an attack on at least part of NATO territory "from 2026 onwards," possibly targeting the Baltic countries or Finland. It notes that the German intelligence services have not yet issued a public warning about this concern.
According to Business Insider, NATO command is alarmed by Russia's growing military capabilities and the potential for confrontation. Nonetheless, some leaders within the Alliance believe this does not inevitably mean war will occur.
BI also references the perspective of American intelligence agencies, which do not foresee a Russian attack on NATO in the "medium-term." They estimate that Putin's military will need another five to eight years to regain the military potential it had before the invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Business Insider
