In a recent development, German newspaper Bild claims to have acquired "secret documents" prepared by the German armed forces, revealing Russia's purported plan for an offensive against NATO's eastern flank. According to the document, Russia is said to be contemplating an attack following a successful counteroffensive against Ukraine, with the alleged pushback of the Ukrainian army expected by June.

The classified document suggests that Russia may engage in "cyberattacks and other forms of hybrid war" against the Baltic countries later in July. Subsequently, unspecified "clashes" are anticipated, serving as a pretext for Russia to initiate large-scale military drills on its territory and in Belarus.

Further details in the classified report, according to Bild, indicate that Russia might deploy troops and medium-range missiles to its western enclave of Kaliningrad in October. This move could be followed by a border conflict in the Suwalki Gap, expected to unfold in December.

It is important to note that geographically, the Suwalki Gap narrow stretch of Polish and Lithuanian territory, which separates Belarus from Kaliningrad. Moreover, the Suwalki Gap has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions, and NATO has established a Forward Presence Battlegroup in Romania, comprising French, Belgian, and Dutch troops, since May 2022.

The primary objective of this battlegroup is to deter and defend NATO's eastern flank, equipped with light armored vehicles and tanks.

The report also hints toward a Russian plot, supported by Belarus, during a period when the United States is anticipated to be temporarily without a leader after the presidential election, aiming to replicate the scenario of the 2014 Ukrainian crisis on NATO territory.

Bild also highlighted that in May 2025, NATO is expected to decide on deterrence measures and deploy 300,000 soldiers, including 30,000 German troops. 

In turn, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to the report by Bild saying the report about Moscow's alleged plan to expand eastward and target Germany is fake news. 

"I would not like to comment on the report of Bild, this news outlet does not hesitate to use fake news," Peskov noted.

Romania officially 15th Member of NATO Naval Striking, Support Forces

Romania's Defense Minister announced earlier last week that Romania has joined NATO's Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), thereby becoming the 15th member state of the alliance's naval group.

"At the beginning of the year, Romania marks two decades since it joined the North Atlantic Alliance, our country becoming the fifteenth member of NATO's most powerful naval striking group," the Minister stated.

He also mentioned that the partnership between Romania's naval forces and STRIKFORNATO was initiated over a year ago, in which the Romanian military participated in different activities and missions carried out by the joint allied command in NATO's area of responsibility.

 Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, chief of the Romanian Naval Forces Staff, took part, yesterday, in the Romanian national flag hoisting ceremony held at the headquarters of the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO– STRIKFORNATO Headquarters, in Oeiras, Portugal.

Read more: US approves $75Mln sale of Javelin ATGMs to Kosovo