BERLIN — Germany’s top operational commander warned today that Russia could be capable of launching a large-scale attack on NATO “soon” if its military buildup continues unchecked.

“Despite the war in Ukraine, Russia still possesses a very large military potential,” Lt. Gen. Alexander Sollfrank, head of the armed forces’ Operational Command, said at the Bundeswehr’s annual conference in Berlin. “That means Russia is already today capable of carrying out a regionally limited attack on NATO territory.”

Sollfrank, who oversees all of Germany’s military operations and crisis deployments, warned that the Kremlin is rebuilding its land, artillery and drone forces and plans to expand its active troop strength to 1.5 million soldiers. 

“After the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and if its rearmament continues unchecked, a large-scale attack on NATO could become possible — and soon,” he said. “That means we have to deal with the possibility of an attack against us, whether we like it or not. And beyond that, we have no time to lose.”

The commander presented “Operation Plan Germany,” a new national defense plan aligned with NATO’s regional strategy, as the country’s blueprint for deterrence. The plan organizes how up to 800,000 allied troops could move through Germany within 180 days to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank if war looms. “It’s not a war plan, but rather a war-prevention plan at its core,” Sollfrank said.

He pointed to a surge in hybrid attacks and sabotage targeting Germany and its neighbors — including drone sightings, naval incidents and undersea interference — as proof that Moscow is already testing Europe’s defenses.

“Deterrence only works if it’s credible,” Sollfrank said. “We must be ready to fight so that we do not have to fight.”