Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Some forecasts suggest, Russia can be ready to invade a NATO-member by 2029 – but according to a NATO-general, it can come even sooner
Some forecasts suggest, Russia can be ready to invade a NATO-member by 2029 – but according to a NATO-general, it can come even sooner
What is happening?
Russia has issued another stark warning to the West, hinting at the possibility of nuclear confrontation.
The threat coincided with large-scale naval drills, dubbed July Storm, taking place across multiple seas.
Massive military exercise across three seas
Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry shows warships, aircraft, and sea drones in action.
The exercises spanned the Pacific, Baltic, and Caspian Seas, involving 50 warships and support vessels, 120 aircraft, 10 coastal missile systems, and around 15,000 personnel.
Officials say the drills demonstrate Russia’s readiness for “any scenario.”
NATO’s hypothetical Kaliningrad push
The sabre-rattling followed comments by US Army Europe and Africa Commander General Christopher Donahue.
He suggested NATO could seize the heavily militarised Russian exclave of Kaliningrad — surrounded by alliance members — “in a timeframe that is unheard of.”
Putin’s inner circle hits back
Vladimir Putin’s close ally and former intelligence chief Nikolai Patrushev responded sharply.
He accused the West of harbouring ambitions to “violate Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by military means.”
NATO warns of Russia’s readiness timeline
According to Poland’s PM, Donald Tusk, General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s new commander in Europe, confirmed during a meeting, that Russia could be operationally ready for a large-scale European conflict within the next two years.
The assessment is based on US intelligence.
Potential for coordinated global conflict
Grynkewich allegedly also warned of a possible global flashpoint.
If Chinese President Xi Jinping launched military action against Taiwan, he said, it was “likely” he would coordinate with Vladimir Putin — a move that could trigger simultaneous crises in Europe and Asia.
Poland sounds the alarm
Donald Tusk reacted to the intelligence reports with urgency.
He told reporters: “Russia will be ready for confrontation with Europe — and therefore with us — as early as 2027.”
Security meetings at the highest level
Tusk held talks with both the outgoing and incoming heads of MI6, focusing on Poland’s preparedness.
He stressed that the nation’s armed forces must be well-equipped and its internal stability maintained to face any potential crisis.
“We Must Be Ready”
Following those meetings, Tusk declared that every decision was aimed at ensuring Poland could respond to any scenario.
Rising tensions
With Russian forces conducting vast drills and NATO leaders issuing stark warnings, the prospect of confrontation feels closer than it has in decades.
The coming 18 months may prove critical in shaping Europe’s security landscape — and the stakes could not be higher.
