Russia not as strong as they say, warn experts

The rise of ISIS – or Daesh, Putin's threats against Turkey – and even North Korea’s claim of developing a Hydrogen bomb – has put the world on the brink.

"We have gone from a war in Europe being unthinkable to it now being on the cards,” said Russian expert Michael Kofman.

"It is possible now.

"Britain and the West can’t be lazy, as a country you can’t let your defence budget tumble and you can’t assume there won’t be a war in Europe.”

Mr Kofman has advised US government and security officials on how big a threat Russia poses militarily.

Russia was shown up badly when it launched a full scale ground invasion on Georgia in 2008.

Although just 67 Russian servicemen were killed during the five-day war the Kremlin vowed to bring its forces in line with the world's military powerhouses.

Daily Star Online revealed last week Russia had built a "Doomsday Plane" – allowing it to control its armed forces during the onset of a nuclear war.

Yesterday Putin ordered his military chiefs to strengthen its strategic nuclear and space war forces.

But both Mr Kofman and Dr Andrew Foxall – a UK-based Russian expert – believe Putin still has work to do.

The recession, heavy sanctions and tumbling oil prices have all restricted Putin’s army spending.

Economic sanctions alone take 1.5% off the country’s Gross Domestic Product – the value of the Russian economy.

"This year marks the highest military budget since the Soviet Union – but they are not going to see this kind of budget again,” Mr Kofman said.

"The economy is in disastrous shape."

The Russian SU-24 plane shot down by Turkey last month is a prime example of how Putin still needs to modernise his forces.

Dr Foxall said: ”Those planes were produced in the 1970s and 1980s and they have not been produced more or less since.

"Russia has not made any improvements militarily – it could be described as 'uneven' at best."

And Dr Foxall believes should Russia bring about WW3 by launching an attack against NATO, Putin would come up short.

"Russia's equipment is outdated," he said. "The majority of the forces still follow the Soviet Union model.

"During the 1990s and 2000s Russian leaders have often spoken about the need to reform the military – but in the end took little action."

"The result is the disastrous conflict in Georgia.

"Russia won that war with Georgia because of the sheer size of its forces – but it was not equipped for modern warfare."

Fast forward seven years and problems still remain.

Its ground forces number 300,000 but only a third of that total is highly equipped, Mr Kofman added.

The British army is being stripped back to around 82,000 currently. 

Mr Kofman said: "Russia has lot challenges with expeditionary warfare. It is not geared for warfare far away from home.

"Realistically they would not stand a chance against NATO.

Mr Kofman does not think the West should fear Russia – but stresses caution.

"When you are dealing with nuclear power you have to have contingency plans," he said.

(dailystar.co.uk)