Russia Is Preparing the West for War: *The Atlantic* Explains the Kremlin's Actions
Russian authorities may be preparing the West for a large-scale war, although it cannot be ruled out that this is just another ploy by the Kremlin.
For years, Russian propagandists have been threatening Western countries with large-scale bombings. At the same time, Russia has recently stepped up its campaign of sabotage against the West.
The publication cites U.S. intelligence reports stating that Russia could attack NATO starting this fall and continuing through 2029. However, according to the author, Russia does not necessarily need to declare direct war on the Alliance, as the Kremlin may be satisfied with a hybrid campaign against the West.
The author notes that this summer has been a period of setbacks for Russia in Ukraine. Russian troops have reached a stalemate on the battlefield, while Ukrainian long-range UAVs have inflicted damage on Russian rear areas. It is against this backdrop that the number of sabotage operations in Europe has begun to rise.
The author believes that, in the Kremlin’s view, Europe is stepping up its involvement in the war in Ukraine, as it is currently the main source of financial aid. Kyiv has also established production facilities in a number of Western countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, France, Romania, and Spain.
The journalist notes that Russian intelligence agencies are “almost certainly” capable of attacking European territory. And the West is preparing for this by simulating various possible scenarios of a Russian invasion. These include a limited invasion of the Baltic states, the creation of a “kill zone” using drones, and a strategic blockade of the Baltic Sea.
However, at present, Russia is not publicly prepared for such a scenario. Instead, it continues to wage a hybrid war, to which European intelligence agencies are already trying to respond. However, as the publication notes, Russia is indifferent to whether its operations will be carried out, since such operations are primarily intended to exert psychological pressure.
The publication writes that so far, Russia has not achieved its goal with these operations—to stop the flow of weapons, money, and intelligence to Ukraine. Given the escalation of long-range attacks, Kyiv is receiving more and more funds, weapons, and intelligence, the author argues.
“But Putin is pushing this campaign for a reason. Through inexpensive means, disposable operatives, and a constant stream of chilling leaks, the Kremlin is preparing millions of Western citizens for a full-scale war against Europe. Regardless of whether this war is likely, Putin will demand concessions in exchange for ending it,” the author concludes.
This is written by Andrew Rivkin, a New York-based journalist who covers Russia, in a column for The Atlantic.
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