Former US General Predicts Rapid Russian Collapse in Ukraine: ”Just a Few Hours”
OLSZTYN, Poland – In 2015, then-commander of US land forces in Europe, General Ben Hodges, identified the Suwałki isthmus as a potential military hotspot. Now, Hodges is forecasting a swift Ukrainian victory, suggesting Russia‘s military capabilities are nearing collapse.
Hodges’ assessment centers on Ukraine’s continued counteroffensive and the increasing strain on Russian forces. He believes a breakthrough by Ukrainian troops could trigger a cascading effect, leading to a rapid disintegration of Russian control.
The strategic importance of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) – a Russian military base with access to the Baltic Sea – remains a key factor in regional security. The area hosts the Baltic Fleet and serves as an operational center for GRU special units, reportedly training saboteurs. Iskander-M missile systems deployed in the Königsberg Oblast pose a threat to capitals of the Baltic states and key NATO infrastructure, according to Dr.hab. Wojciech Kotowicz from the Institute of Political Sciences of the University of Warmia and Mazury in olsztyn.
the Suwałki Isthmus, a narrow land connection between the Baltic states and Poland, is considered a vulnerable point in NATO’s eastern flank.Reserve colonel Dariusz Kozerawski notes the Baltic states’ limited military capabilities due to their small populations and armed forces. NATO planners have long warned the Isthmus could be an early target in any escalation by Russia.
Hodges’ 2015 warning highlighted infrastructural and organizational deficiencies that could hinder a swift NATO response to a threat in the region, a concern that remains relevant as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
