The Bundeswehr Inspector General warns against underestimating Russia's military potential. Although many troops are currently tied up in Ukraine, Moscow still has the option of fighting in another theater of war.
According to the Bundeswehr, the Russian armed forces would be able to open a second front. "Most of the Russian land forces are currently tied up in the war against Ukraine," said Inspector General Eberhard Zorn. "Nonetheless, we should not underestimate the potential of Russian land forces to serve another theater of war."
The majority of the Russian navy has not been used in the war against Ukraine, Zorn said. "The Russian air force still has considerable potential, which also poses a threat to NATO." This means that Russia still has "considerable reserves and, from a purely military point of view, would be in a position to further expand the conflict regionally".
However, such action by Russia would be "very unreasonable". Zorn said of the current war situation in Ukraine: "The Russian offensive momentum has slowed down, but it is steady." The Russians pressed ahead "with no regard for civilian Ukrainian casualties".
Russia also has enormous stockpiles of ammunition. "This ammunition may be old and very imprecise, but that is precisely what is causing major destruction to civilian infrastructure." According to Zorn, the Russian armed forces fire 40,000 to 60,000 rounds a day. "Nevertheless, I'm not currently expecting far-reaching offensives into the interior of Ukraine." Russian forces focused on conquering the Donbass. "However, a military decision is not in sight."
