US builds up arsenals in Europe to deter Russia

Europe has received its largest shipment of ordinance from the United States since NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. Russian experts told TASS that building up arsenals is connected to deterring Russia and possibly preparing for war.

"This is an indicator, a sign that Americans seriously consider the possibility of war in Europe. Consequently, they have started building up military arsenals <...> Delivering such large shipments of ordinance is linked to the possibility of emerging military tasks for the US Air Force. Against whom? There is only one opponent here - the Russian Federation," editor-in-chief of the "National Defense" magazine Igor Korotchenko said.

He noted that boosting arsenals signals the change in operational plans on Russia. "The increased likelihood of a military conflict with Russia conditions them to deliver additional arsenals of destructive weapons which may be used by an American combat unit in the case of war," Korotchenko added.

Editor-in-chief of the "Arsenal of the Fatherland" magazine Viktor Murakhovsky said that such actions are in line with the US strategy on deterring Russia. In particular, they represent an integral part of the Operation Atlantic Resolve launched in the spring of 2014 and of the 30-30-30-30 strategy adopted in June of 2018.

"This is being done in the framework of the Operation Atlantic Resolve. It is a wide range of activities aimed at modernizing and improving the military infrastructure. Many aerodromes, ports, railroad junctions, canals and trunk lines are being modernized. This is mostly happening in the countries of Eastern Europe, in particular in Poland and the Baltic States, but also in Norway, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania and other countries," Murakhovsky said.

"The plan envisages deploying 30 land battalions, 30 air fighter squadrons and 30 ships at NATO's 'eastern flank' within 30 days. Thus, they are creating not only infrastructure, but also stocking up ammunition, fuel and so on. This what they are doing now," he added.