It might feel like a distant drumbeat to many across Western Europe, but for those near the eastern frontlines, the threat from Russia is deafeningly close.
That’s the stark reality Germany’s top military official, General Carsten Breuer, is warning NATO to prepare for—urgently.
In a candid interview with the BBC, Breuer didn’t mince words.
He’s been in the military for four decades and says he’s never seen a threat like this one.
Russia’s Military Machine Is in Overdrive
Breuer painted a chilling picture of Russia’s military buildup.
Last year alone, the Kremlin produced a staggering 1,500 main battle tanks and churned out four million rounds of artillery ammunition.
And here’s the kicker—he says not all of this firepower is going to Ukraine.
That suggests something much bigger could be in play.
According to Breuer, this stockpiling could be laying the groundwork for a future confrontation with NATO, particularly targeting the vulnerable Baltic states.
“There’s intent, and there’s a build-up,” he said. And analysts have circled 2029 as the year to watch—but Breuer warned that the threat could come even earlier.
“We must be ready to fight tonight,” he stressed.
The Baltic States Are Feeling the Heat
One region that’s causing major concern is the Suwalki Gap—the thin stretch of land that connects Poland and Lithuania, sandwiched between Russian and Belarusian territory.
It’s a geopolitical pressure point, and Breuer says it’s looking increasingly exposed.
He shared a powerful analogy from Estonian leaders, who said being so close to Russia is like standing near a wildfire: “You feel the heat, see the flames, and smell the smoke.”
Meanwhile, in Germany, he added, “you probably just see a little smoke on the horizon.”
A Call for NATO to Rebuild and Reunite
With tension mounting, Breuer has a simple message for NATO members: it’s time to step up and rebuild.
Many countries had downsized their military capabilities after the Cold War, but that era of peace is fading fast.
“Lean in. Ramp up,” he said. “We need to be able to defend ourselves and create deterrence.”
Despite concerns that NATO might be too fractured to mount a unified defense, Breuer insisted the alliance is more united than ever—especially after Sweden and Finland officially joined.
“I’ve never seen such unity,” he said.
“Everyone understands the threat, and the urgency is clear.”
Not Everyone’s on the Same Page
Still, there are divisions within NATO. Hungary and Slovakia, for example, have grown noticeably closer to the Kremlin, often blocking tougher actions within both NATO and the EU.
And then there’s Donald Trump. The former U.S. president and current power player continues to signal sympathies for Moscow.
Just yesterday, his envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said Russia’s demand for NATO to halt its eastern expansion was “a fair concern.”
He added, “Ukraine joining NATO is not on the table,” echoing views that have raised eyebrows among NATO’s eastern members.
Ukraine’s Daring Drone Attack Stuns Russia
Just before Breuer’s dire warning, Ukraine pulled off one of its most daring attacks yet—using a swarm of kamikaze drones launched from trucks to strike deep into Russian territory.
Dubbed “Operation Spiderweb,” the assault targeted two of Russia’s most strategic airfields—Olenya in the Arctic Murmansk region and Belaya in Siberia.
Both are thousands of miles from Ukraine and are considered key parts of Russia’s nuclear strike infrastructure.
Drone footage captured fires raging at the bases, with Russia’s prized Tu-95 “Bear” bombers—capable of launching nuclear missiles—left in ruins.
Russia’s Airbases in Flames—and Tempers Flare
The scale of the damage was staggering. Ukrainian sources claimed over 40 military aircraft were hit, including Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and A-50 bombers.
Estimated losses? More than £1.5 billion worth of equipment.
One Russian analyst dramatically labeled it “Russia’s Pearl Harbour” and “the blackest day in aviation” for the country.
And now, Moscow’s military hawks are calling for a nuclear response—pointing to Russia’s military doctrine, which allows such retaliation if critical infrastructure is hit.
Did a Truck Driver Unknowingly Deliver the Strike?
One of the most bizarre twists? In Murmansk, the drones reportedly flew straight out of the back of a delivery truck that had stopped at a gas station.
Russian media suggested the driver may not have even known he was transporting drones.
He’s now in custody, with investigators scrambling for answers.
A similar event reportedly happened in Siberia, though Russian authorities have yet to comment.
Ukraine’s SBU security service is believed to be behind the operation, with insiders calling it part of an ongoing mission to “demilitarize Russia.”
A Historic Strike with Global Consequences
This drone assault may go down as one of the most significant moments in the war so far.
It proved that Ukraine can strike deeply and effectively—and that Russia’s nuclear assets are not as invulnerable as once thought.
Meanwhile, the rhetoric inside Russia is heating up dangerously.
As Vladimir Putin faces humiliation on the battlefield, the risk of an unpredictable response grows.
Whether or not NATO will be ready for what comes next is the pressing question—one that Breuer says can’t be answered with hope alone. “We must be ready. Now.”