Russia must be ready to fight NATO in the next decade

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov warned on December 16 that Moscow must prepare for a potential conflict with NATO in the next decade amid rising geopolitical tensions in Europe.

According to Reuters, Mr. Belousov made the above statement at a meeting of senior defense officials in Moscow chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 16. At the meeting, Minister Belousov said: "The activities of the Defense Ministry are based on ensuring readiness for all scenarios in the medium term, including the possibility of a military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade."

Clash Point: Facing Trouble in Donbass, Zelensky Bets Big on Kursk Region

Mr. Belousov said that possibility was clearly demonstrated by the decisions at the NATO Summit in July, and was reflected in strategic documents of the US and other NATO countries.

Accordingly, Mr. Belousov mentioned the US nuclear force modernization plan, Washington's opening of a missile defense base in Poland and the deployment of medium-range missiles in Germany by 2026 as well as NATO's new combat readiness strategies. Mr. Belousov warned that the US could soon possess a hypersonic missile that could reach Moscow within 8 minutes.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov speaks at a meeting of senior defense officials in Moscow on December 16, 2024.

According to Minister Belousov, NATO is currently deploying a new combat readiness system that will allow the bloc to mobilize 100,000 troops to Russia's western borders within 10 days, 300,000 troops within a month and 800,000 troops within 180 days.

Also speaking at the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the large number of men volunteering to join the army was turning the tide of the war with Ukraine in Moscow's favor. Putin also accused the West of pushing Russia to a "red line", stressing that Moscow had been forced to respond.

President Putin said Russia is closely monitoring the development of short- and medium-range missiles by the United States. He accused the United States of preparing to deploy missiles with ranges of “up to 5,500 km” in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and said Russia would lift voluntary restrictions on the deployment of such missiles if Washington made such a move.

Panorama of the meeting of senior Russian defense officials in Moscow on December 16, 2024

In another development, Russian news agencies quoted Sergei Karakayev, commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, as saying that Moscow and Washington had informed each other about upcoming intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

"Russia notifies the US side at least 24 hours in advance about any plans to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles," RIA news agency quoted Mr. Karakayev as saying on December 16.

According to Reuters, the US side also provided similar information. That notification will include the expected launch date, launch location and impact area of ​​the warhead.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-phai-san-sang-chien-dau-voi-nato-trong-thap-nien-toi-185241217080125095.htm