Russia may launch hybrid operation in Baltics within months, analyst warns

Political analyst Volodymyr Horbach said this on Espreso TV.

"I believe that a hybrid operation against the Baltic countries is entirely possible and probable. Moreover, as early as the end of summer - the beginning of autumn. This may well be accompanied by military actions and shelling or attempts to break through the border and 'provide some assistance' to the so-called Russian-speaking population, which is not always pro-Russian," he believes.

According to the analyst, there are many loyal citizens of their states - the Baltic countries and the EU, respectively, among them.

"The calculation of the Russian Federation is not to conquer Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia, but to demonstrate to Europe and the whole world the reaction of the United States and Donald Trump to such actions. To show that the Russians can dare to do this if they are sure that the United States will not interfere. For example, Trump will say that he is busy with China: 'You are Europeans, you have a lot of money, so show what your armed forces are capable of.' The threat also lies in the fact that the Baltic operation or provocation may coincide in time with certain actions by China regarding Taiwan or the South China Sea," Horbach summarized.