German general warns: NATO needs to be ready for a possible Russian attack soon

Lieutenant General Alexander Zollfrank, head of the operational command of the German armed forces, warned that Russia could launch a large-scale attack on NATO if it builds up its military power uncontrollably. Politico reports that.

Despite the war against Ukraine, Russia has a huge military potential and is already capable of a limited regional attack on NATO territory," Zollfrank said at a conference in the Bundeswehr.

The general noted: the Kremlin is actively rebuilding ground forces, artillery and drones, with plans to increase the size of the army to 1.5 million. If Russian rearmament continues unchecked after the war with Ukraine ends, he said, a large-scale attack on NATO could become a reality - and "already soon".

To contain the threat, Germany has prepared a new national defence plan agreed with NATO. The main provisions are:

• The deployment of up to 800,000 allied troops across Germany within 180 days to reinforce NATO's eastern flank.

• The concept is precautionary rather than a war plan.

• Strengthen defences against hybrid attacks and sabotage, including drones, maritime incidents and underwater jamming.

Deterrence only works when it is persuasive. We must be prepared to fight so that we don't have to actually fight," Zollfrank emphasised.

The German general warns that Europe does not have time to hesitate - it needs to prepare for a possible threat today.