Russia And Nato Training For War With Each Other, Say Analysts

Russia and Nato are training for a full-blown confrontation, an influential group has warned, as the war of words between Moscow and the west translates into military planning.

The warning comes from the European Leadership Network, which comprises former military figures, politicians and policymakers. On Wednesday, it will present an analysis of recent military exercises by the two blocs that indicates each is “preparing for the worst”.

The stark assessment from a group made up of dozens of former generals and defence and foreign ministers highlights a fracture in which both sides have ramped up their military posturing in recent months.

The ELN analysed the stage-by-stage deployment of units in the two biggest military war games this year — Nato’s Allied Shield exercises and Russia’s “snap” drills — to assess dispositions and strategic thinking on both sides.

Both exercises were officially designed with hypothetical opponents in mind but “the nature and scale of the operations indicate otherwise”, the ELN report will say.

“Each side is clearly training with the other side’s capabilities and war plans in mind.”

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