(Dan Tri) – The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Russia is expanding part of its military to prepare for a large-scale conflict with NATO.
Russian soldiers in Ukraine (Photo: TASS).
The US-based ISW organization also previously commented that a number of military, economic and financial signals show that Russia seems to be preparing for a large-scale conflict with NATO.
ISW’s assessment was made on April 20 after Izvestia newspaper reported on the Russian Ministry of Defense expanding the newly established Leningrad military district.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this last December, saying this was a necessary action to deal with Finland joining NATO.
Russian Defense Ministry sources told Izvestia that, in Karelia, a republic in northern Russia and bordering Finland, a missile brigade with the Iskander-M ballistic missile system was formed, a
Meanwhile, Russia has also deployed a new air force and air defense army in the region, including fighter and bomber regiments, as well as air defense units and engineering forces.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented.
Former commander of Russia’s Baltic Fleet, Admiral Vladimir Valuyev told Izvestia that this was a response to Finland joining NATO and aimed at strengthening Russia’s forces along the country’s western flank.
Mr. Valuyev said, `if the worst happens, the missile brigade will handle tasks related to NATO forces that pose a threat to Russia.` He also emphasized that Russia must now pay more attention
Finland joined NATO last April.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that NATO’s increasing expansion closer to Russia’s borders is a threat to Russia’s national security.
The Kremlin said earlier this month that the relationship between Russia and NATO had dropped to a level that could be considered direct confrontation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if a direct conflict between Russia and NATO breaks out, the world will be close to World War III.
On the other hand, Mr. Putin denied speculation that Russia was preparing to attack a NATO member.
`This is nonsense. The speculations of Western leaders that we will attack Europe after Ukraine are completely meaningless and only aim to scare their people to take their money,` Mr. Putin said today.
Russia-West relations have escalated tensions due to the war lasting more than 2 years in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron caused controversy in February with his statement that the West did not rule out the possibility of sending troops to support Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden’s administration affirmed that the US will not send troops to Ukraine.