Bundeswehr general sees greatest danger in NATO's north-eastern flank

Created: 2022-06-27Updated: 2022-06-27 04:51

Lieutenant General Bernd Schütt is the new commander of the Bundeswehr Operations Command.

© Carsten Hoffmann/dpa

Russian threatening gestures in the dispute over transit traffic to the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad are causing concern.

Lieutenant General Bernd Schütt warns of an escalation on NATO's north-eastern flank.

Schwielowsee - The new commander of the Bundeswehr Operations Command, Bernd Schütt, sees the greatest danger of a military escalation with Russia on NATO's north-eastern flank.

"And that's why the point of credible deterrence in this region is a very central point for me.

The presence of land forces plays a central role here,” said the lieutenant general of the German Press Agency.

There will also be increased exercises for national and alliance defense in his command.

Schütt: “We have not yet trained this type of intensive warfare here.

Existing structures and procedures need to be adapted.”

The Operations Command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam manages the contingents of the Bundeswehr on foreign missions in national matters - such as material, personnel and disciplinary matters - but not operationally.

During operations like in Lithuania - where the Bundeswehr is leading a multinational NATO battle group (eFP) - the German soldiers are also involved in the defense planning of the respective country.

After more concrete Russian threats in the dispute over transit traffic to the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, fears in the Baltic States have recently grown.

dpa