If NATO is indeed working on a defensive operation to protect the regions that border on Russia’s exclave in the Baltics, the general should at least shed some light on the contents of that mission. Among the key objectives, the alliance should deploy its troops and prepare for defense, disrupt the adversary’s air offensive, block the advancement of the assault groups of Russia’s ground forces, stand ready to fight to defend designated tactical zones, carry out counter strikes, locate and destroy airborne and sabotage units, as well as guarantee the security of its critical infrastructure. That is supposed to be one big plan, and it looks like General Harrigian has laid his eyes only on about half a page from it.

 

As for Richard D. Hooker’s report, it appears that he (as well as others) failed to grasp that a hypothetical showdown between Russia and NATO would not be limited to the Kaliningrad Region alone.

 

With NATO’s conventional weapons surpassing Russia’s capabilities (and in some aspects the gap is substantial), it’s safe to assume that Moscow wouldn’t just stand idly by while its forces are being crushed. It would immediately respond by using both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons.

 

Therefore, Western military commanders and experts are fundamentally wrong in their thinking that the battle for Kaliningrad would remain some sort of local action, without any spillovers.