Putin’s ‘enthusiastic’ military strategy might see Nato face Soviet- design mass army|World News

16/02/2024

Positioning of Russian forces in the area of a number of Nato allies after the military reform (Picture:Metro co.uk)

Nato might deal with a Soviet- designmass army in the next decade as Vladimir Putin takes on an ‘ambitious’ reform of his military.

Estonia’s intelligence agency has warned of a paradigm shift in Russia’s arsenal – with plans to bolster both command structures and personnel strength over the coming years.

Strategic recalibrations – as a direct response to the Western alliance’s expansion – are laid bare, with the Kremlin’s goal being to achieve ‘military dominance’ in the Baltic Sea region.

‘The success and timeline of Russia’s military reform will be largely determined by the course of the war in Ukraine,’ the report from Estonia’s Valisluureamet said.

‘If Russia manages to implement the reform, Nato could face a Soviet-style mass army in the next decade.

‘This army is likely to be technologically inferior to Nato allies’ defence forces in most areas, except for electronic warfare and long-range strike capabilities.

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‘However, its military potential would be significant, owing to its size, firepower (including artillery and numerous inexpensive combat drones), combat experience and reserves.’

This is the latest of a growing list of warnings that Nato must be better prepared for a potential war with Russia.

Under the stewardship of defence minister Sergei Shoiguit, it is said the Kremlin is planning to double its forces on borders with Estonia and other members of the alliance.

According to the report, the number of soldiers is set to rise from 1.15 million to 1.5 million by 2026.

Russia put Estonia’s PM Kallas on arrest list. Don’t get it wrong, it is not a “symbolic” step. In a case of invading Estonia (or other neighbouring countries), the Russians will arrest and execute their political elites, like they did in Ukraine in 2022, and elsewhere in 1940s.
— Sergej Sumlenny, LL.M (@sumlenny) February 13, 2024

Dozens of brand-new systems are prepared to be produced in all land, air, and marine forces, along with in the air-borne soldiers.

Russia’s greatest concern for force generation depends on the Western tactical instructions and Ukraine.

But after that, it will concentrate on its borders with Finland, where its military existence was very little till the nation’s current accession to Nato.

The report stated: ‘Russia plans to create a 44th Army Corps, based in Petrozavodsk, to address this. This formation will probably be built around at least two or three manoeuvre units with around a dozen fire support and combat support units.’

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech during the Victory Day military parade marking the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II in Red square in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) — Vladimir Putin provides his speech throughout in 2015’s Victory Day military parade (Picture: AP)

Finland’s accession included 800 miles of Nato border with Russia, a significant obstacle for Putin, who has actually looked for to reduce the growth.

Sweden, which used to the alliance at the exact same time as its neighbour after the intrusion of Ukraine, is likewise set to take part the future.