NATO is preparing to repel a possible attack by the Russian Federation — The Telegraph
Category
Politics
Publication date

NATO is preparing to repel a possible attack by the Russian Federation — The Telegraph

Kristianis Karinshas
Source:  The Telegraph

According to the head of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia, Kristianis Karinshas, NATO partners, against the background of the growing threat of an attack by the Russian Federation, advise Great Britain to return mandatory military service and prepare for a possible total mobilization.

How the EU and NATO are preparing to repel a possible attack by the Russian Federation

Karinsh noted that mandatory military service was returned to Latvia after Russia's criminal attack on Ukraine.

All eligible males between the ages of 18 and 27 are now required to serve 11 months in the army.

We would highly recommend it. We are developing and concretizing the system of what we call total defense, which includes all parts of civil society, — said Karinsh.

The minister added that Latvia implemented the experience of Finland, which maintains a small combat-ready army and a very large and trained personnel reserve.

Tobias Ellwood, a former minister and former chairman of the British parliament's defense committee, said Britain should take Mr Carins' proposal seriously.

Having recently visited Finland, I saw clearly that they have the most impressive "total defense" model in NATO. As Putin secures another six years in office and seeks to emulate Stalin and expand his influence, we must also review our total defense model, Ellwood emphasized.

Meanwhile, Karinsh emphasizes that Europe will have to deal with "dangerous Russia" for a long time. In his opinion, Russia's "imperialist ambitions" will survive Putin himself.

Even after the end of this war — and all wars eventually end — we will still have a problem in the Russian Federation, which will not be directly related to Putin's rule, — warns the head of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia.

According to the minister, the death of Russian opposition leader Oleksiy Navalny in prison last month and the fake presidential elections in the Russian Federation this weekend only emphasize this harsh fact.

We do not see any signs that there is any movement in the Russian Federation that would nominate a leader who professes enlightened, liberal ideas. In the near future, this is not expected at all, — emphasized Karinsh.

What scenario can Putin choose for a war against NATO

According to Taras Zhovtenko, an international security expert of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, in a comment to Espresso journalists, the Kremlin will most likely resort to a limited hybrid special operation with the help of agents and special services on the territory of one of the NATO countries.

It is more realistic and can catch the Alliance off guard. The format is not a full-scale war, but a limited hybrid operation. It can be reflected in the fact that the Russians can enter one of the NATO countries and seize a certain territory, — explains the analyst.

Zhovtenko emphasized that Russia could consider an attack from two bridgeheads.

In particular, the invasion can take place directly from the territory of the Russian Federation, or from the territory under the control of Belarus.

At the same time, Zhovtenko points out that the actions may be similar to those observed at the beginning of the invasion of the occupation army of the Russian Federation into Ukraine.

According to analysts, Russian propaganda will immediately start spreading the narrative that NATO failed to invoke Article 5 on collective defense.

Zhovtenko says that Russia's probable plan also foresees NATO's reaction. If they start threatening to respond, the Kremlin will resort to nuclear rhetoric.

Here, one can immediately recall Putin's words about the technical readiness of the Russian Federation for nuclear war. That is, in the event of such a scenario of events, Russia will again threaten with nuclear weapons, the expert noted.

Category
Ukraine
Publication date

Russia attacked the industrial infrastructure of Zaporizhia — one person was killed and one was injured

Ivan Fedorov
Zaporizhia

On the afternoon of January 8, explosions were heard in Zaporizhia during an air raid. The enemy attacked an industrial enterprise in the city.

Points of attention

  • Russia targeted industrial infrastructure in Zaporizhia, leading to one fatality and multiple injuries.
  • Local authorities and rescue services are actively responding to the consequences of the attack and providing assistance.
  • The Ukrainian Air Force reported a threat of further strikes, urging residents to stay in safe places until further notice.
  • The attack on Zaporizhia is part of a broader conflict involving missile strikes and drone attacks in the region.
  • Residents of Zaporizhzhia and surrounding communities are advised to follow news updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Russia attacked Zaporizhia: what is known

The enemy has attacked industrial infrastructure in Zaporizhia. Stay in safe places until the end of the call.

Consequences of the Russian attack on Zaporizhia

This was reported by the head of the Zaporizhzhia OVA Ivan Fedorov at 3:49 p.m.

Later, Fedorov added:

One person was killed, three others were injured. These are the preliminary consequences of the enemy strike on Zaporizhia.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported a threat of a strike by KABs. At around 4:15 p.m., repeated explosions were heard in Zaporizhia.

At 4:27 p.m. it became known that the number of victims had increased to six.

Consequences of the Russian attack on Zaporizhia

As of 17:00, 30 victims of the enemy attack in Zaporozhye have been taken to hospitals in the regional center.

Seven medical teams, police officers and emergency workers are working at the site of the attack.

The Russian army fired a mortar into a high-rise building in Zaporizhia

On the evening of December 20, Russia launched missile strikes on Ukraine. There is destruction and casualties in Zaporizhia.

The enemy attacked Zaporizhzhia and frontline communities with drones, a fire broke out. A man was injured.

This was reported by the head of the Zaporizhzhia OVA Ivan Fedorov.

A drone attack in Zaporizhia caused a fire. An ambulance crew was dispatched to the scene.

Category
Economics
Publication date

We will have to make sacrifices. What will happen to Russia in 2025?

We will have to make sacrifices. What will happen to Russia in 2025?
Source:  Bloomberg

Bloomberg News spoke with experts to understand what specifically will happen to Russia's economy as it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Points of attention

  • The economic situation in Russia is deteriorating because Putin does not want to stop the war against Ukraine.
  • The fall in oil prices could be a painful blow to the Kremlin and its war machine.

Putin has driven the Russian economy into a dead end

Oleg Vyugin, an economist and former high-ranking Central Bank official, made a statement on this matter.

In his opinion, the relatively good period for the Russian economy has already ended.

"High inflation is eating away at all this seemingly short-term success," the expert emphasized.

One cannot also ignore the fact that the aggressor country faces sanctions, a weakened currency, unclear prospects for oil prices, and the fear of losing support from China.

As noted by Serhiy Dmitriev, an information technology specialist, high interest rates have failed to curb price growth, which is more than double the target.

According to him, record borrowing costs have already become noticeable for the aggressor country.

What's next?

As mentioned earlier, the Central Bank forecasts inflation at 4.5-5% by the end of the year, and the key rate at an average of 17-20%.

Sofia Donets, an economist at T-Investments, predicts that this will be a year of belt-tightening for Russia.

For consumers and businesses, this means reduced credit for purchases and investments. The collapse in oil prices is one of the biggest risks to the economy in 2025, Donets believes. If the price falls even lower, Russia will have to make sacrifices, she says.

Promsvyazbank believes that a quick end to the war could contribute to the strengthening of the ruble, the return of foreign investors and export revenues.

However, if dictator Putin does not hurry with this, inflation and tough policies will persist, which will be a new blow to the Russian economy.

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