Russia's President, Putin, is escalating military activities close to NATO's border.
Revamped Report:
Solidifying Strongholds - Europe Braces as Russia Ramps Up Its Border Fortifications
According to detailed analyses by the "Wall Street Journal" in partnership with the Finnish "Black Bird Group," the Kremlin under Vladimir Putin's leadership is witnessing a massive military buildup along its borders with Europe. The focus is primarily on the establishment of new military support points in Petrosawodsk and Kamenka near the Finnish border, as well as expanding the Sputnik support point near the Norwegian border into a formidable military city. Additionally, plans for new railway lines to facilitate the efficient transport of military equipment, particularly near the Finnish, Norwegian, and Estonian borders, are underway.
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Eyes on Expansion - Russia Pursues a Larger Military Presence
Russia aspires to bolster its army to a staggering 1.5 million soldiers, with a monstrous budget allocation of around six percent of its GDP for military expenditure - more than double the EU average. The output of T-90M tanks, heavy artillery, and drones is spiraling upwards as never before. In response, neighboring Finland, projected to join NATO in 2023, is bolstering its border installations with barbed wire fencing and advanced surveillance systems. Other NATO allies on the Eastern Front, including Poland and the Baltic nations, are also bracing for potential hostilities, switching out of old arms control agreements.
Military analyst Thomas Theiner issues a stern warning to "Bild": "If Putin spots Europe lacking strength, he'll strike. CHAOS ensues... NATO, EU, and the Euro would crumble." The expert warns that a successful attack by Putin is contingent on his ability to swiftly occupy the entire Baltic region within just two to three days. However, if multiple European countries were to contribute even a single brigade of their armies to the Baltic region, this invasion would no longer be feasible for the Russian leader.
Neighboring Nations Make Moves
Estonia
- Fortifying the Frontier: Estonia aims to begin constructing fortifications, such as bunkers, along its border with Russia by 2025. The ambitious project consists of approximately 600 defensive structures, including anti-tank obstacles and fortified firing sites[4][1].
- Strengthening Allied Forces: Estonia is also in the process of building a new military base, reinforcing its position near the border with Russia and bolstering alliance forces[2].
Poland
- The East Shield Project: Poland is injecting PLN 10 billion (approximately $2.55 billion) into the extensive "East Shield" border project. This border defense system will feature anti-tank barriers, bunkers, sheltered fortifications, and drone defense systems along the borders with Russia and Belarus[5]. The primary purpose of the project is to strengthen NATO's eastern frontier amid escalating tensions due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia
Aside from the developments in neighboring countries, recent information suggests that Russia may be planning to establish buffer zones along international borders, similar to its actions in Ukraine, to shape regional military strategies[3].
- The escalating tensions between Russia and Europe have led military analyst Thomas Theiner to issue a warning to "Bild": if Putin perceives Europe as lacking strength, he may launch a strike, potentially causing chaos that could lead to the collapse of NATO, the EU, and the Euro.
- In response to Russia's military buildup, Finland is reinforcing its border installations with barbed wire fencing and advanced surveillance systems in anticipation of joining NATO in 2023.
- Other Eastern Front NATO allies, including Poland and the Baltic nations, are bracing for potential hostilities, transitioning out of old arms control agreements and focusing on border defense systems like the "East Shield" project in Poland.
- Particularly in Estonia, efforts are underway to fortify the border with Russia by 2025, with plans to construct approximately 600 defensive structures and a new military base to reinforce the alliance forces.
