NATO strengthens logistics in the event of war with Russia

4 June, 2024 NATO military. Photo credits: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP NATO is developing numerous corridors to move troops and weapons to the eastern flank of the Alliance in the event of war with Russia.

The Telegraph reported on this with reference to unnamed officials. The main corridor envisages the landing of American troops in the port of Rotterdam and the subsequent transfer of soldiers to Poland through the Netherlands and Germany by rail. Negotiations are also underway to extend routes to other ports to ensure that communication landlines cannot be severed by enemy forces.

In particular, this refers to the ports of Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

Potential points of troop redeployment

The article states that US troops can be delivered by land from Italian ports through Slovenia and Croatia to Hungary, which shares a common border with Ukraine. There are plans to transport forces from the ports of Turkey and Greece through Bulgaria and Romania. In addition, plans are being developed to transport troops through ports in the Balkans, as well as through Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Lieutenant-General Alexander Sollfrank, the chief of NATO's logistics command JSEC, told the publication that ports in the Netherlands, Germany, and the Baltic states are considered particularly vulnerable to Russian missile attacks. After warnings that the Alliance has only 5% of the necessary air defenses to cover its eastern flank, the commander is concerned about the ability to protect its key logistics centers.

US troops will land in Rotterdam in case of war with Russia. Photo credits: FRANS LEMMENS/CORBIS DOCUMENTARY RF

"Assessing the Russian war in Ukraine, we noticed that Russia attacked Ukrainian logistics bases.

This leads to the conclusion that huge logistics bases will be attacked and destroyed first in a conflict situation. As for air defense, it is always insufficient. I can't imagine a situation where you have enough air defense," the military said.

In April, the first group of the German 45th Brigade arrived in Lithuania for permanent deployment to cover NATO's eastern flank.