A prominent NATO ally reportedly has a “plan” to deploy hundreds of thousands of troops to fight Russia in the event of a future war.
One of Germany’s leading national newspapers reported that 800,000 troops could be mobilised along much of the nation in a significant escalation of World War III fears.
Der Spiegel said it gained the information from a “secret document” that claims German and NATO ally troops will use ports, highways, and railways to move eastwards in the event of an all out war with Vladimir Putin‘s Russia.
It wrote that the troops and weapons would need to be deployed within three to six months of a conflict along the A2 highway, which runs 300 miles from the city of Oberhausen in the west of Germany or Berlin in the east.
The vital route, running close to NATO ally Poland‘s border, includes bridges which, Der Spiegel said would be top targets for Russian attacks.
Attacks of this kind could significantly delay the mobilisation of NATO troops, and so Germany is reportedly looking at alternative routes and contingencies.
The troops would also need housing, feeding, and a host of supplies, which is also being planned for, according to the newspaper, which revealed that stops for supplies and rest would be needed every 300 to 500 meters.
The report claimed Germany‘s Federal Police would need to exercise new powers, including conscription and running prisoner of war camps.
The Telegraph previously reported that NATO has plans for land “corridords” to move troops and equipment through in a potential future war with Russia.
The reported routes include from Italy to Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary, and via Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Scandinavia.
German officials have been vocal about the possibility of a large-scale conflict in Europe as the Russia–Ukraine rages on and Putin looks to expand his control.
However, NATO allies have repeatedly stressed that any mobilisation of troops to help in Ukraine‘s fight against Russia would not be involved in combat duties as they don’t want to provoke Russia.