In a shocking revelation, German newspaper BILD has published leaked documents from the German Ministry of Defense, uncovering classified military information about Russia’s alleged plans to escalate its conflict in Ukraine and target NATO ally countries in the coming year.
The leaked documents suggest that Russia is gearing up for a “hybrid” attack in Eastern Europe, with multiple potentially alarming scenarios outlined in detail.
One scenario, named “Alliance Defense 2025,” envisions Russia mobilizing an additional 200,000 soldiers starting this February, motivated by a reduction in Western financial support for Ukraine.
The plan involves launching a massive “spring offensive” against Ukrainian armed forces.
According to BILD, another potential scenario, “Zapad 2024,” could see Russia conducting a large-scale military ‘exercise’ amassing 50,000 soldiers in the west of the country and Belarus.
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The documents suggest that Russia might then move troops and mid-range missiles to Kaliningrad, strategically positioned between Lithuania and Poland, both NATO members.
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The plan proposes that Russia could use propaganda to warn of an imminent attack by NATO forces, ultimately aiming to conquer the Suwalki Gap, a narrow Polish-Lithuanian corridor.
By December, the documents outline a worst-case scenario where Russia takes advantage of the US presidential election transition period, using propaganda to incite violence in the Suwalki Gap area.
BILD reports that following a meeting of the UN Security Council in January 2025, Russia could falsely accuse Western allies of plotting against Putin’s regime.
This could serve as a pretext to rally troops to Belarus and the Baltics by March 2025.
While these plans are presented as a potential scenario prepared by German army generals, European allies are taking Russia’s threat seriously and preparing accordingly.
German Defense Ministry officials, though not addressing specific scenarios, emphasize that considering different, even unlikely, scenarios is a routine part of military training and preparedness.
As the international community closely monitors these developments, NATO allies remain on high alert, acknowledging the need for credible deterrence to prevent further Russian incursion in the region.