NATO is said to have three courses of action prepared in case Russia were to attack one of the Baltic states. The plans range from neutralizing Russian missiles and extensive use of drones to strikes on military and logistical targets located even on Russian territory.
According to Bild, NATO has devised three courses of action in the event of a Russian attack on the Baltic states. These are part of a plan called the „NATO Concept for Land Warfare Operations,” which aims to halt Russian troops and reduce Moscow’s ability to continue the offensive.
Russia's Missiles and Drones, Primary Targets
In the event of an attack on the Baltic states, one of the top priorities would be neutralizing the Russian systems used for missile and drone attacks.
NATO would use fighter jets, missiles, and drones for this purpose. Key areas include Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, where Moscow has anti-aircraft defense systems and missiles.
The goal would be to reduce Russia's ability to strike NATO forces and military infrastructure in allied states.
A Drone Barrier on the Border with Russia and Belarus
The second component involves creating a so-called "autonomous zone" along NATO's borders with Russia and Belarus.
Mainly drones and unmanned ground vehicles would be used here to detect, slow down, or stop enemy units. The idea is for these systems to form a first barrier against a Russian advance and reduce direct exposure of NATO troops.
The concept is part of a broader shift in how the Alliance reinforces its eastern flank, following the lessons of the war in Ukraine, where drones have come to play a crucial role in both battlefield surveillance and attacks.
Strikes also on Russian Territory
If the offensive were to continue, NATO's response would not stop at the attacked state's territory.
According to Bild, in a later stage, military and logistical targets within Russia could be targeted. Special forces would be tasked with hitting key points crucial for supporting Russian operations, such as airfields, weapon factories, bridges, and railways used for transporting troops and equipment to the front.
The aim of the concept would not be to conquer Russian territories but to destroy Moscow's ability to continue the offensive and push Russian forces back to the border.
Bild claims that the details of the concept are deliberately made public as a form of deterrence: Moscow should know in advance what response to expect if it were to attack a NATO member state.
Increasing Pressure on the Eastern Flank
The information comes at a time when incidents with drones in the airspace of NATO states on the eastern flank have multiplied.
Romania had a new such incident just Sunday morning. A drone entered national airspace from the Republic of Moldova and was shot down by a Spanish F-18 aircraft on a NATO air policing mission.
The drone's origin has not been officially established. A NATO representative told Reuters that it "appears to be Russian."
It was the fourth drone shot down over Romanian territory this year. Three others were shot down by Romanian Air Force F-16 jets in July.
G.P.