Russia's military reforms respond to NATO's expansion, Ukraine

24/1/2023 11:54

        Russia's new military reforms respond to possible NATO expansion and the use of Kyiv by the "collective West" to wage a hybrid war against Russia, the newly appointed general in charge of Russia's military operations in Ukraine said.
        
        Valery Gerasimov, in his first public comments since his Jan. 11 appointment to the role, admitted also to problems with the mobilisation of troops, after public criticism forced President Vladimir Putin to reprimand the military.
        
        The military reforms, announced mid-January, have been approved by Putin and can be adjusted to respond to threats to Russia's security, Gerasimov told he news website Argumenty i Fakty in remarks published late Monday.
        
        "Today, such threats include the aspirations of the North Atlantic Alliance to expand to Finland and Sweden, as well as the use of Ukraine as a tool for waging a hybrid war against our country," said Gerasimov, who is also the chief of Russia's military general staff.
        
        Finland and Sweden applied last year to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russia invaded Ukraine.
        
        Under Moscow's new military plan, an army corps will be added to Karelia in Russia's north, which borders with Finland.