Published On: Mon, Jan 29th, 2024

World War 3 fears soar as NATO chiefs warn of Vladimir Putin’s ‘countdown’ to first attack | World | News


Senior NATO generals have sounded a grave warning, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be on the brink of launching a first attack on European targets, escalating concerns of an impending World War 3.

Leaders within the NATO alliance underscored the pressing need for the bloc to prepare for a potential Russian offensive within the next three years.

They predicted conflict would involve strikes against both civilian and military infrastructure deep within European territories, significantly impeding war efforts.

German officials foresee their nation becoming the focal point, serving as the central “turntable” for NATO’s continental supply lines. Possible targets, according to NATO leaders, span from munitions factories and command centres to power plants, railways, and bridges.

The grim outlook is rooted in the use of similar tactics observed during Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine, where missiles were unleashed deep into Ukrainian territory. In response, Ukraine targeted ammunition depots, fuel depots, and command sites.

Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, commander of NATO’s military logistics centre in southwest Germany, highlighted the evolving nature of warfare.

He told The Times: “If we compare war and operations ten years ago or five years ago, then we realise that we have to accept that also the rear areas will be severely contested.”

Sollfrank stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to defence, encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic forces.

He called on world leaders to cut bureaucratic “red tape” hindering the swift deployment of weapons and technology across nations. The concept of ‘interchangeability,’ where rules dictate the usage of equipment, was identified as a major impediment to timely responses.

Using the example of paratroopers, Sollfrank illustrated the absurdity of rules preventing the use of parachutes from another nation, even if functionally identical. He urged a reduction in bureaucracy, claiming that such streamlining was crucial for NATO to be agile enough to counter potential Russian aggression.

“I think we can … get this started and reduce or adapt the red tape or wherever it might be possible and necessary,” Sollfrank said. “Everyone can start. Just do it. And don’t wait. Because in the end, we have no time to waste.”

Lieutenant General Jan-Willem Maas, chief of the Dutch armed forces’ Defence Support Command, echoed the urgency, acknowledging that preparations for a bloc-wide conflict needed to go further.

“We are not where we should be. That’s clear,” Maas said. “But the question is: what are we going to do about it? If you look at what Putin has done until now, I think that we have a way better starting position for the next operations. If you look at how Europe was united after he invaded Ukraine, I’m not that pessimistic.”

“But at the same time,” he added, “if you look at the military deterrent, we have to do our utmost to make it work tomorrow. And the day after.”



Source link