Putin gears up for conflict, with NATO as the target
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have issued warnings indicating that Russia is potentially gearing up for conflict with NATO. This speculation comes in light of the threats it poses across various regions, complemented by the significant expansion of the Kremlin's naval capabilities.
10:23 AM EST, December 12, 2023
The ISW experts suggest that Putin's objective might be a large-scale war with NATO. In a report by the Ukrainian television channel, 24 TV, noteworthy changes are seen in the expansion and reorganization of the Russian army. This is presumed to be the country's strategic preparation for potential future military operations.
The amplifying naval capabilities of Russia
One notable warning sign tracked by ISW is the "expansion of naval capabilities". The recent presence of Putin at the flag-raising ceremonies for two nuclear submarines -- the versatile submarine Krasnoyarsk and the strategic submarine Emperor Alexander III -- has announced these undertakings.
These vessels are expected to join the Russian Pacific Fleet, part of the Eastern Military District, presumably reinforcing the protection of Russia's Far East borders.
"Vladimir Putin has displayed indications of wanting to boost Russia's naval prowess, with his focus extending well beyond Ukraine and Eastern Europe. This likely aims at bolstering and extending Russia's capability to pose a threat to the Western regions," states the ISW report.
Included in Putin's development plan for the Russian fleet are not only quantitative growth, but also efforts towards increasing its power in Arctic regions, the Far East, the Black Sea, the Baltic, and the Caspian.
Actions with long-term impact
The ISW highlights the fact that developing new war vessels is not just an expensive undertaking, but also a significant time investment.
"The long-standing restructuring and expansion efforts of the Russian army are seen as a preparation for a potential large-scale war against NATO in the future. The allocation of expensive maritime resources beyond Ukraine and Eastern Europe is likely a strategic move designed to pose a threat to NATO and its allies across diverse regions," warns ISW.
