The strategy for responding to Russian aggression calls for halting the enemy’s advance and weakening Russia’s military capabilities
NATO troops (File photo: EPA)
NATO has developed a concept for conducting ground combat operations in the event of Russian aggression against Alliance countries. The document outlines a phased response to missile and drone attacks and an offensive by Russian ground forces. According to , Bild reports this, citing the NATO Land Warfighting Concept.
The document was drafted under the direction of Major Andrew Pingray of the United States Armed Forces. The Alliance’s primary objectives in such a scenario are defined as halting the Russian offensive and significantly weakening the Russian Federation’s military capabilities..
According to the scenario, in the event of an attack on the Baltic states, Russia may first use missiles and drones, and then launch a ground offensive involving armored vehicles.
NATO plans, first and foremost, to neutralize the missile threat. To this end, it may use fighter jets, missiles, and unmanned systems capable of striking Russian systems. One of the priority targets will be the Kaliningrad region, where Russia has concentrated a significant number of missile and air defense systems.
The next step is to establish a so-called “autonomous zone” along the borders with Russia and Belarus. The plan is to use it as a kind of barrier between Russian troops and NATO forces.
According to the plan, drones and robotic military transport systems will play the main role in this zone. There are no plans for the permanent deployment of Alliance troops there. In the event of a further advance by Russian troops, the autonomous zone is intended to help contain and halt the offensive using unmanned systems.
In the event of a conflict, the Alliance is considering the possibility of striking military targets on Russian territory. This refers to infrastructure that supports the Russian military. Potential targets could include airfields, military-industrial facilities, bridges, and rail hubs used to transport troops and equipment.
The concept also mentions the possibility of harnessing the potential of Russians who oppose the regime of dictator Vladimir Putin .
According to Western intelligence reports, Russia is preparing for war with NATO countries by 2030; in the meantime, Moscow is testing the Alliance’s strength and resolve.
At the same time, NATO emphasizes that the goal is not to occupy Russia. The concept calls for halting the Russian advance and pushing Russian forces back to its national border.
At the same time, the Alliance makes no attempt to conceal such plans. The logic is that openness regarding a potential response could strengthen deterrence and force Russia to recognize the consequences of a possible attack on a NATO country.
This is a machine translation of the original article in Ukrainian. It may contain errors.