Terrifying war game proves Putin could defeat Nato in days | World | News
A chilling war game simulating a Russian assault on Nato has exposed the West’s alarming lack of readiness for invasion.
The exercise conducted by former German and Nato officials revealed Vladimir Putin could secure victory within days of launching an attack.
Russia may be positioned to execute such an operation within just twelve months, security experts have cautioned.
October 2026 scenario
The simulation envisions events unfolding in October 2026, with Russia exploiting fabricated “humanitarian crisis” claims in Kaliningrad to capture the Lithuanian city of Marijampole, which is close to a vital European road junction.
Bartłomiej Kot, a Polish security analyst portraying the game’s Polish prime minister, told the Wall Street Journal: “The Russians achieved most of their goals without moving many of their own units.”
Nato’s response concentrated on “de-escalating” when confronted with Russia’s provocative actions, he added.
Minimal force required
The Kremlin would require just 15,000 troops to seize control of the Baltic state, with the game exposing Nato hesitation amid the absence of US leadership in the scenario.
The simulation saw America decline to activate Nato’s Article 5, which obligates all members to defend any ally facing attack.
Poland activated forces but ultimately declined to dispatch troops to protect the threatened territory.
Germany demonstrated reluctance to respond as Russia advanced, deploying drones to plant mines near military installations.
A brigade stationed in Lithuania chose not to intervene despite the unfolding crisis.
Franz-Stefan Gady, a military analyst who assumed the role of Russian chief of general staff during the exercise, explained success hinged on exploiting anticipated German hesitation.
He said: “Deterrence depends not only on capabilities, but on what the enemy believes about our will, and in the wargame my ‘Russian colleagues’ and I knew: Germany will hesitate. And this was enough to win.”
Putin’s Empire 2.0
Putin remains fixated on restoring Russian Empire prestige, rendering former Soviet territories like the Baltic nations priority targets.
European security and political leaders cautioned that Russia has transitioned to a war economy, with rearmament and military recruitment programmes extending far beyond Ukraine conflict requirements.
The findings emerge amid mounting concerns about potential Russian aggression against Nato.
Russian drones penetrated Polish airspace in September, travelling on a “direct path” toward a Nato installation.
The incursion compelled Warsaw to destroy the drones and invoke Nato Article 4 – one level below the threshold triggering collective defence obligations.
The Polish facility the drones apparently targeted provides military equipment to Ukraine, German newspaper Die Welt reported.
Zelensky characterised the drone flights as a “test” by Russia to gauge Nato allies’ responses.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared the incident brought his nation to the “closest to conflict since WW2.”
One-year timeline
Netherlands Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans told the Journal his government had determined “Russia will be able to move large amounts of troops within one year.”
He added: “We see that they are already increasing their strategic inventories, and are expanding their presence and assets along the Nato borders.”
The German Wargaming Center of the Helmut-Schmidt University of the German Armed Forces conducted the exercise alongside newspaper Die Welt.
