Russia is actively preparing for an invasion of the Baltic states in a major military challenge to the West, according to a new analysis.
Such a thrust byVladimir Putinwould test NATO’s resolve to defend three small member states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - amid the possible start of a nuclear World War Three.
The claim comes from specialist Russian-language war channel Volya, which includes experts fromRussia,Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltics.
The claim also comes after Dmitry Medvedev, Putin ally and former President, warned of a "nuclear apocalypse" as war between Russia and NATO is "inevitable."
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“Since mid March, we have begun receiving confirmations from sources in the Russian Ministry of Defence and other structures that Vladimir Putin’s plans to invade the Baltic states have moved to the next stage,” said the independent outlet.
The aim “is not to start a war with NATO, but to trigger a major crisis within the alliance by invading Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and, ideally, bring about its effective fragmentation.
“The Russian political leadership believes that European countries will be reluctant to fight a nuclear power, especially without direct support from the United States.
“Vladimir Putin and his circle believe that major European countries would not risk going to war with Russia over the Baltic states”.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
