US State Dept: Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily

According to US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Russia has rebuilt its military after suffering significant losses during its invasion of Ukraine, as stated at an event hosted by the Center for a New American Security, Defense News reports.

Earlier, Estonian officials warned that NATO has about three to four years to strengthen its defenses in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin ramping up his country's "war machine." Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service also warned of a potential military confrontation between Russia and the West in the next decade, suggesting a counter build-up of armed forces as a deterrent. Additionally, other Western officials have cautioned of a Russian military threat to NATO's eastern flank, urging Europe to bolster defenses, with the belief that Russia won't stop in Ukraine.

“We have assessed over the course of the last couple of months that Russia has almost completely reconstituted militarily,” Campbell said.

Defense News notes that Campbell's assessment seems to contradict those of the Pentagon and America’s allies in Europe.

At a recent Ramstein meeting for Ukraine support, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reported over 315,000 Russian casualties in the Russo-Ukrainian war, noting that despite advances due to reduced American aid, these gains have been costly for Russia. Earlier this year, the chair of Lithuania's national security committee estimated in an interview that it would take Russia between five and seven years to rebuild its forces for a full-scale war.

Since 2022, Moscow has boosted defense spending to 6% of its GDP in its 2024 budget, aiming to shift its economy, especially its defense industry, to a wartime footing. This effort has been partly supported by China, North Korea, and Iran, with Campbell and an unnamed senior official noting China's help in Russia's endurance of recent economic and military challenges, as per Defense News.

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