Russian military general warns ‘the war will not stop here’, hints at Europe invasion

A Russian general recently promoted by Vladimir Putin has raised eyebrows across Europe with a television appearance explaining Moscow’s ambitions after the Ukraine war.

In a recent interview with the state-run program Russia-1, Lieutenant General Andrey Mordvichev said he believed the invasion of Ukraine was “just the beginning” of further conflicts with Europe.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted renewed fears of a global war, with some analysts describing the brazen gesture as a precursor to an uncontrollable conflict.

In the period after the invasion, Russian commentators ramped-up their anti-NATO rhetoric, regularly injecting pro-Kremlin propaganda into neighbouring countries, promoting political instability and a general distaste for the West.

Russia’s complex information war has led pro-democracy advocates to believe Putin is cultivating a global sphere of influence to eventually make an assertive move against the West beyond Ukraine’s borders.

General Mordvichev’s comments provide another clue as to what is being disseminated among high-ranking military officials, hinting that the current war for Ukraine will continue for years and eventually expand in the future, particularly into Eastern Europe.

When asked if Ukraine was just a “stepping stone”, Mordvichev claimed that it was indeed only the beginning.

“I think there‘s still plenty of time to spend. It is pointless to talk about a specified period. If we are talking about Eastern Europe, which we will have to, of course then it will be longer,” he said.

“It is only the beginning. The war will not stop here.”

Putin has previously outlined a vision to reunify territories of the defunct Russian Empire into a unified bloc, controversially asserting that Ukraine should not be independent from Russia.

Some of Putin’s allies have even discussed the possibility of expanding the invasion into NATO countries, including Poland and other Eastern European nations.

NATO leaders have defended their support for Ukraine while simultaneously hosing down threats of further Russia escalation. 

However, Russian leaders claim that the invasion of Ukraine was defensive, aimed at preventing NATO expansion and protecting Russian-speaking populations from “genocide”.

General Mordvichev’s ominous comments came shortly before Armenia launched joint drills with US peacekeeping forces on Monday.

The military partnership is the latest sign of the ex-Soviet republic’s drift from its traditional ally Russia.

“Exercise Eagle Partner’s opening ceremony has kicked-off” at Zar training centre near Yerevan, involving some 85 US soldiers and 175 Armenian troops, US Army Europe and Africa Spokesperson said.

The drills came just days after Moscow summoned Armenia’s ambassador over the exercises and rising tensions.
 

Defence Minister’s chilling threat

Last month, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his ministry’s governing council that the Kremlin will move to “strengthen troop formations” along its western frontier following Finland’s inclusion in the NATO alliance.

He said Poland had embarked on plans to update and strengthen its military. He warned NATO forces were likely to be deployed in Finland.

“The collective West is waging a proxy war against Russia,” Shoigu said, warning that “unprecedented support” for Ukraine “creates serious risks of further escalation of the conflict”.

Shoigu said Finland joining NATO was a “serious destabilising factor”. 

“On Finnish territory, it is likely that additional military contingents and strike weapons of NATO will be deployed, capable of hitting critical targets in the northwest of Russia at a considerable depth,” he continued, further accusing Poland of being “the main instrument of the anti-Russian policy of the United States of America”.

“These threats to Russia’s military security require a timely and adequate response,” he said. 

“We will discuss the necessary measures to neutralise them and make appropriate decisions.”