The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for almost two years, and the two sides are engaged in fierce fighting in the eastern part of Ukraine. However, just when the Ukrainian military is in a difficult situation and suffering a major **, NATO has stepped up its military deployment around it, forming new pressure on Russia. This situation has forced Russia to face the dual challenges of NATO, and at the same time, it has also aroused the concern of the international community about whether a new Cold War situation will emerge.
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Ukrainian military has been in the special military operation for more than 3830,000 soldiers were killed or wounded, including a large number of senior officers and elite troops. This figure far exceeds the official Ukrainian figures, and also reflects the total rout of Ukraine on multiple fronts.
In order to recover the decline, the Ukrainian military has launched the tenth round of mobilization, and plans to mobilize another 45-500,000 people to replenish the troops on the front line. However, this plan was met with strong resistance from the Ukrainian population, with many refusing to join the army or even fleeing to neighboring countries. The Ukrainian military is also facing problems such as equipment shortages, low morale, and lax discipline, making it difficult to form effective combat effectiveness.
The war with Ukraine has not caused NATO to relax its vigilance against Russia, but has accelerated the pace of its eastward expansion. During the special military operation, Finland announced the signing of a defense cooperation agreement with the United States, allowing US troops to be stationed and trained on its territory. This move has caused Russia to be on high alert, as Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, which would pose a serious threat to Russia if US troops were deployed there.
In response to this threat, Russia announced that it would establish the Leningrad Military District and concentrate a certain number of military forces there, including the army, air force, navy and missile forces. Russia also said that if Finland joins NATO, it will take all necessary measures to defend its own *** and interests.
In addition to Finland, Germany has also strengthened its military presence in Central and Eastern Europe, planning to permanently deploy a new armored brigade in Lithuania. This is the first time since World War II that Germany has permanently deployed troops in an Eastern European country, and it is also the largest deployment of NATO on the eastern flank. The decision has sparked speculation that Germany's move is aimed at countering Russia, which is feeling pressure from the West.
Lithuania also asked for German troops to be stationed, stressing the danger of being surrounded by Russia. Bordering Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus, Lithuania is NATO's weakest link in Eastern Europe. NATO has also significantly stepped up its military presence on its eastern flank, clearly demonstrating that it has decided that the situation in Ukraine is dire and that a second line of defense needs to be quickly established to strengthen the defenses of Eastern European countries.
In the face of NATO expansion, Russia did not show weakness, but took a series of countermeasures. Russia announced that it would increase the strength of its armed forces by 170,000, bringing the total to 1.32 million. This is Russia's largest military expansion since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and it is also in response to NATO provocations.
Russia** Putin also approved the 2024 fiscal expenditure budget, of which 30% will be spent on the armed forces, exceeding the budget for the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year and this year. This shows that Russia is ready for a full-scale confrontation with NATO, and will defend its national interests at great cost.
This series of initiatives shows that the arms race between Russia and NATO has entered a new stage, and the countries of Eastern Europe have become the new cannon fodder in this race. This development of the situation will have a far-reaching impact on the international security pattern and has also attracted widespread attention around the world. Many are worried about whether a new Cold War situation will emerge, or even trigger a full-blown hot war.