Russian state television is discussing how Putin could invade NATO’s Baltic states
A former senior officer in the Russian army posted a battle plan on state television that includes the Russian army invading NATO’s Baltic states and parts of Sweden, a politically neutral country.
When he spoke live on the TV channel Rossiya 1, the retired Russian military colonel gestured towards the map showing Gotland, Sweden’s largest island with a population of about 58,595, circled in red.
Colonel Igor Korotchenko, formerly of the Russian General Staff and Air Force and currently a reserve officer, pointed to the map and said at the beginning of the invasion “a massive Russian radio-electronic attack is being launched” when “all NATO radars go blind and see nothing”, according to the sun.
This is what the scenario for capturing the countries might look like, he added.
Colonel Igor Korotchenko, a former member of the Russian General Staff and Air Force and currently a reserve officer, described on the television channel Rossiya 1 what a Russian invasion of the Baltic states might look like.
Sweden has been politically neutral throughout its recent history, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine put the prospect of the Nordic country joining NATO in the political discussion.
Russia has repeatedly threatened Sweden and Finland with NATO membership since the invasion began.
“At this time, on the Swedish island of Gotland, Russian military planes delivering S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and Bastion coastal anti-ship systems are landing,” said Colonel Korotchenko.
The video shows a border area marked “Suwalki Gap” – the gap between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad Exclave, a remnant territory annexed by Germany after World War II.
Colonel Korotchenko explained how Russia would push up from Kaliningrad towards the Suwalki corridor that separates Poland and Lithuania, blocking NATO reinforcements from the West.
“The astonished West and NATO will know that Russia is declaring a no-fly zone of 400 km,” the enthusiastic colonel added.
The entire Baltic Sea would then be opened to Russian forces, he said in live TV.
The scenario ends with the governments of the new Baltic states promising fidelity to Moscow while Sweden agrees to eternal neutrality and a 99-year lease on Gotland.
The program aired on Russian television at the end of last year but was posted by Ukrainian government adviser Anton Gerashchenko.
NATO forces participate in the Cold Response exercises in Norway, which take place every two years
Armored vehicles from the NATO Rapid Reaction Brigade in Norway for the military exercise Cold Response 22 arrive at Borg Havn in Fredrikstad, Norway
Just a few days ago, NATO sent tens of thousands of troops, including the Royal Marines, an aircraft carrier, a fighter ship and a nuclear-powered attack boat to Norway, which borders Russia.
Troops from 28 countries in Europe and North America are involved in war games at Russia’s border that will last for about a month, starting in northern Norway on Monday.
The exercise was named Cold Response and is held just a few hundred kilometers from the Russian border, as Vladimir Putin’s forces continue to wage war in Ukraine.
About 35,000 troops, 200 aircraft and 50 ships are involved in Cold Response, including about 900 Royal Marines who will lead Britain’s engagement.
They will raid the jagged Norwegian coast from an amphibious group led by HMS Albion.
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will also participate and will be joined by the frigate HMS Richmond, the type 45 fighter HMS Defender, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker and a nuclear-powered attack submarine that will escort her.
HMS Prince of Wales is pictured participating in Cold Response 22
A flight crew member looks out the door at his Merlin Mk2. F35 from 207 Squadron RAF Marham carried out a bypass of NATO’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales while in the area training with the ship
NATO’s British ships join the largest Arctic exercise in 30 years
U.S. Marines with the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron participate in the exercise
The HMS Prince of Wales Task Group will operate in the harsh cold weather environment with allies and partners from across NATO
The exercises aim to show how a united multilateral force would defend Norway and Europe’s northern flank from a modern opponent.
Britain’s participation in the exercises underlines Britain’s commitment to security in Europe and forges closer ties between NATO allies and partners.
NATO said the exercise was not linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It said the exercise was planned long before the alleged war criminal Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine.
Russia has declined to be an observer during the exercise, which aims to allow NATO members and partners to practice working together on land, in the air and at sea.
The exercise, which is held every two years, will end in April.
US Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, posing for a photo during a training event in preparation for the Cold Response 2022 exercise
US Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, simulates engaging a target in preparation for the exercise of Cold Response 2022 in Norway
The Norwegian-led exercise is designed to improve military capabilities, test the ability of US Marines to work with NATO allies and partners, and adapt to challenging climates while training on offensive and defensive tactical operations.
Norwegian Armed Forces Major Sverre Daehli (left), born in Elverum, Norway, and winter instructor at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Center of Excellence for Cold Weather Operations, instructs U.S. Marines