Germany's armed forces are preparing for a possible hybrid attack by Russia on NATO's eastern flank in February this year, Bild reports this with reference to a secret Bundeswehr document.
In a secret document intended for official use only, the German Ministry of Defence describes in detail a possible conflict between Russia and NATO. It culminates in the deployment of NATO soldiers and the outbreak of war in the summer of 2025.
Bild describes the scenario from the document, but for security reasons does not reflect all the information about the number and movement of troops.
The Bundeswehr's "Alliance Defence 2025" scenario will be launched in February 2024: Russia launches another wave of mobilisation, followed by a spring offensive in Ukraine, followed by a Russian attack on the Baltic states in July. Cyber attacks and other forms of hybrid warfare are also envisaged.
According to the scenario, tensions could peak in October with the deployment of Russian troops and missiles to Kaliningrad. After the US elections, when the country could be left without a leader, Russia, with the support of Belarus, could repeat the 2014 invasion of Ukraine on NATO territory.
The scenario ends 30 days after "Day X", when NATO deploys significant military forces, including the Bundeswehr, to the eastern flank. However, the question of whether Russia will be deterred by NATO remains open in the scenario.
Earlier, Bild, citing intelligence sources, wrote that the Kremlin is planning "fictitious negotiations" while continuing to conduct offensive operations. It is noted that Putin has a plan to hold Minsk-type talks, but continue to wage war against Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the article. "I’ve read the German "secret plan" leaked to the Bild information dump. A powerful last year's horoscope for a fish in cancer. I do not exclude that the analytical part of the Bundeswehr was provided by the German Foreign Ministry under the leadership of Burbock," she said.
It should be noted that on the eve of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian leadership denied any intention of attacking, and for almost two years now has been calling the war a "special military operation".