Russia Preparing for War with NATO, Says German Intelligence
The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the German Armed Forces have learned that Russia is preparing for a major war with NATO, Bild reports.
The publication argues that Putin's empire is ready to use military force to realise its imperialist goals.
The assessment, which is also cited by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, WDR and NDR, shows that Putin's ambitions are not limited to Ukraine.
It is expected that by the end of the decade, Russia will have created all the necessary conditions to be able to wage a ‘large-scale conventional war’.
The Lithuanian intelligence service (VSD) believes that Russia currently does not have sufficient capabilities for a full-scale war against NATO in the medium term. However, limited military action against one or more NATO countries is not excluded.
Putin is reportedly seeking to test how seriously NATO countries are prepared to fulfil their collective defence obligations under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
According to the BND, although three-quarters of Russian troops and equipment deployed in the border regions with the Baltic states are currently in Ukraine, the air and naval forces remain on full alert. If the war in Ukraine ends, Russian troops could be redeployed back to the region.
Despite significant losses and Western sanctions, Putin continues to build up his military capabilities. According to the Bundeswehr and the BND, the Russian military economy produces more weapons than are needed for the war in Ukraine.
By 2026, the size of the Russian Armed Forces could increase to 1.5 million troops. According to plans for 2022, the number of personnel, weapons and equipment deployed on the border with NATO could be increased by 30-50%.
The Kremlin is significantly increasing military spending. By 2025, they will reach approximately €120 billion, which is more than 6% of GDP. Thus, Russia has almost quadrupled its military budget compared to 2021.
As The Gaze reported, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently promised a devastating response to Putin for an attack on Poland or any other NATO state.