19th January 2024 at 11:35am
All-out war with Russia is a possibility within the next 20 years, a top Nato military official has warned.
Speaking after a meeting of Nato defence chiefs, Admiral Rob Bauer told reporters private citizens need to ready themselves for a potential conflict that would change their lives.
The Dutch naval officer, who is chairman of Nato’s Military Committee, warned that large groups of people would need to mobilise in the event of war and authorities must ensure systems are in place to manage it.
He praised Sweden for its move in asking all residents to brace themselves for war ahead of the nation joining the alliance.
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The UK is expected to send 20,000 military personnel to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 – one of Nato’s largest military exercises in Europe since the Cold War.
During the first half of 2024, personnel from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe alongside 31 Nato allies and Sweden as the alliance practises repelling an invasion by Russian forces.
The video above explains what is known about the numbers and equipment being sent.