Russia's War Against Europe
Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe, believes that Russia is already waging war against Europe, and the West is not responding to its actions out of fear of escalation. In his interview with Jonathan Fink on the YouTube channel Silicon Curtain, he cited the example of an incident in Leipzig, where a drone with combat explosives was found near an 'Antonov' aircraft loaded with ammunition for Ukraine. Hodges assessed the likelihood of a Russian connection in such operations at 95%.
Increase in Russian Diversions
According to the former commander, European intelligence reports that the number of Russian diversions quadrupled in 2024. Hodges noted that Russia is using numerous instruments of war, indicating its active actions against European countries. He emphasized that most politicians in the West are afraid of provoking Russia, but it is the weakness and lack of response from Western countries that pushes Russia to take further actions.
'Russia is definitely at war with us, whether we want to believe it or not. Many instruments of warfare are being used against us. And the Russians see that we are unable to respond,' Ben Hodges
Hodges warned that if Russia is not held accountable for its actions, such as the use of drones, shadow fleet ships, and explosions at factories, Europe could slide into a traditional war.
Ben Hodges' statements highlight the seriousness of the situation that Europe faces in response to Russia's actions. The increase in the number of diversions and active operations indicates an escalation of the conflict that requires adequate responses from Western countries. The lack of a clear response may lead to further destabilization of the region, which in turn threatens the security not only of Europe but of the global order as a whole.
As tensions escalate, the West finds itself unprepared for the looming threat of war. Analysts emphasize that the current geopolitical landscape is fraught with dangers, and the lack of a robust response to Russian provocations could further destabilize the region. Understanding the implications of this situation is crucial for grasping the full scope of the challenges Europe faces.