"Balance between digital and kinetic warfare": aggression in Ukraine prompts NATO to consider new look at modern war

This was stated by NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană at the Leangkollen Security Conference in Oslo, the NATO website informs.

"The war has demonstrated the continuing importance of heavy weapons. Of tanks and artillery, missiles and drones. And we must balance digital warfare with kinetic warfare if we are to maintain our security. (...) While running a tank, you also use technology, and sensors, and space, and cyber. And we have to make sure this is where NATO is at its best," noted the Deputy Secretary General.

He expressed his belief that the modern technologies and innovations determine whether you win or lose on the battlefield. Therefore, NATO must be ahead of its adversaries in these matters, which is exactly what is seen in Ukraine.

 "Ukrainian forces used Google traffic to see the massing of forces before the attack. Also, our intel said the same thing. They use natural language processing and technology to listen to unencrypted Russian communications. And by using what is essentially a dating app, they have cut the time for requesting an artillery strike from about half an hour to just a few minutes.This is the fusion between bravery, intelligence, and technology and training," he noted.

According to him, by helping Ukraine, NATO allies are actually defending their own values, which have come under direct attack for the first time in many decades.

"Our leaders will have a lot to discuss in Vilnius. Of course, our first priority will be Ukraine. President Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine is the biggest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. And a brutal and deliberate attack on the international rules-based system. When Putin’s forces invaded almost a year ago, he expected swift victory. He didn’t get it, because he made two strategic mistakes.

First, he underestimated the skill and bravery of the Ukrainian people. And also he underestimated our unity, our solidarity, and the strength of NATO and of our partners,” he emphasized.

He recalled that since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has provided Ukraine with military, financial, and humanitarian aid in the amount equivalent to about EUR 50 billion. Other European allies, including Norway, as well as Canada, together with the EU institutions, have sent over EUR 60 billion of aid to Ukraine. Allies applied powerful economic and political sanctions against the aggressor country to strengthen transatlantic unity.

NATO and allies assistance allows Ukraine to achieve real changes on the battlefield and strengthen its position for lasting peace. According to the Deputy Secretary General, NATO will follow this course and stand by Ukraine as long as necessary.