It appears NATO is determined to find out whether Russia is prepared to take on the globalist alliance directly
The Czech Republic has become the first NATO country to send tanks to Ukraine, providing T-72 and armoured infantry vehicles following President Zelensky’s plea for help.
Several BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, howitzer artillery pieces and more than a dozen T-72 tanks were yesterday loaded on a train bound for Slovakia where they are expected to head on to Ukraine, footage run by public broadcaster Czech Television showed.
The delivery is understood to be a gift agreed on by NATO allies, raising fears the trans-Atlantic bloc could be dragged into the Russian war in Ukraine despite remaining on the sidelines for more than a month.
NATO leaders have so far given Ukraine anti-tank and anti-craft missiles as well as small arms and protective equipment, but have not offered any heavy armour or fighter jets. Prague’s decision to supply tanks to Kyiv will pile pressure on NATO allies to follow suit.
It would not be a surprise if that train is taken out with a hypersonic missile or two before it enters Ukraine. This is a clear and obvious escalation on the part of NATO, most likely taken in response to the beginning of Phase 2 of the special military operation that began with the fall of Mariupol and the withdrawal from Kiev, and it would be appropriate for Russia to respond with a similar escalation.
It’s evident that Russia has a number of cards to play that it is retaining for future use. But given the Russian predilection for swift and unexpected action, we should not be surprised if it acts in a disproportional manner that takes everyone by surprise when it finally strikes directly at the real enemy.