Russia could atack a NATO territory “as early as tomorrow”, Germany’s top military general has claimed. Speaking from his headquarters, Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank said that despite the severe impact of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s air capabilities remain strong, and its nuclear and missile arsenals are intact.
He told Reuters: “If you look at Russia’s current capabilities and combat power, Russia could kick off a small-scale attack against NATO territory as early as tomorrow,” adding that the attack would be on a small scale.
“Small, quick, regionally limited, nothing big – Russia is too tied down in Ukraine for that,” he added.
Sollfrank, who leads Germany’s Joint Operations Command and oversees defence planning, echoed NATO warnings that Russia could potentially launch a large-scale assault on the 32-member alliance as early as 2029.
Vladimir Putin has denied any such plans, claiming that Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was actually in response to NATO’s expansion.
While the Black Sea Fleet has suffered significant losses, according to the general, other Russian fleets have not been reduced.
“The ground forces are suffering losses, but Russia says it aims to boost its total troop numbers to 1.5 million soldiers,” he said.
“And Russia has enough main battle tanks to make a limited attack conceivable as early as tomorrow.”