The new Russian army poses an acute dilemma for NATO
Washington believes that Russia is preparing to send up to 100 troops to NATO's eastern borders by the end of the summer, which would be the most ambitious step in Vladimir Putin's military buildup and that it is reminiscent of the most ominous days of the Cold War, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports , citing a New York Times article about the upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises "Zapad 2017."
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“The NYT immediately reassures its readers with the statement that these exercises are in no way connected with the decision by the US Congress to tighten sanctions against Russia. But at the same time he claims that these maneuvers are part of President Putin’s comprehensive efforts aimed at increasing Russia’s military power. The consequence of this strengthening, according to the Americans, was “Moscow’s military intervention in Syrian affairs, the seizure of Crimea, intervention in eastern Ukraine, as well as intimidation of the Baltic countries with its exercises and the roar of aircraft and warships.”
Retired brigadier general and former military attaché at the US Embassy in Moscow, Peter Zwack, describes his understanding of everything that is happening with the Russian army: “First of all, this message is - we are watching you, we are strong, we have learned a lot, do not mess with Russia.” Western military leaders have expressed concern about Russia's increased military activity, which they believe could provoke an uncontrollable military confrontation,” the article says.
According to the Americans, the Russian Ministry of Defense has contracted a huge amount of railway transport for the exercises, which makes it possible to move up to 4 thousand units of armored vehicles to Belarus and back.
The United States promises preventive measures for the entire period of the exercises and promises to deploy 600 paratroopers in the Baltic states, as well as cancel the rotation for American troops in Poland.
The American publication cites the opinion of the President of the Potomac Foundation, Dr. Philip Karber, who notes that the appearance of the 1st Guards Tank Army during exercises near the Polish border will create an acute dilemma for NATO.
“The alliance has two tasks: to strengthen the military in the Baltic countries and to defend Poland. But the alliance does not have enough strength to simultaneously solve these problems,” admits the American expert.
“The American publication also laments that in addition to what has already been stated, the Russians have stationed a new “motorized” division near Smolensk, which is close to the Belarusian border. Together with the GTA, these forces number about 800 tanks, more than 300 artillery systems and a dozen Iskander tactical missile systems. I will leave the information provided to the NYT, since I have no opportunity to double-check it. As a cherry on top of the cake, the Americans are providing information that the 1st GTA will be the first, and therefore very soon, to receive the T-14 tank and armored vehicles designed on its platform,” writes the author of the publication in NG..
At the same time, Washington is concerned about the fact that it has not yet received an invitation from Moscow to send observers to the Zapad 2017 exercises.
“At the same time, the Americans argue at length that without monitoring, it will be difficult for their intelligence to establish whether maneuvers are being carried out on the territory of Belarus or whether an intervention is being carried out. In total, according to Western media, from 60 to 100 thousand military personnel, intelligence officers and civilian personnel of various departments will be involved in the exercises,” the newspaper summarizes.
The new Russian army poses a dilemma for NATO.