Russia has made significant progress in the defense sphere. The growing military power of our country is seriously worried by the NATO generals. This was stated by the head of the military committee of the alliance, General Peter Pavel.

In an interview with Politico, the military official said that the strengthening of the Russian army can be seen with the naked eye: a "full-scale modernization of the armed forces". Moscow is developing new types of conventional and nuclear weapons. The leadership of the alliance believes that the Kremlin is going to place nuclear warheads in dangerous proximity to NATO countries - in the Kaliningrad region and in the Crimea.

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces are able to operate effectively at a considerable distance from their own territory, the general added.. This option is provided by a permit for the use of ground infrastructure on the territory of allied countries. In addition, at the disposal of Russia there are long-range bombers that can hit targets far from Russia's borders.

NATO is still wondering whether the Russian leadership has aggressive intentions towards the alliance. But the growing capabilities of the Russian Federation to strike at the alliance countries and their allies are evident. Therefore, just in case, Brussels prepares for the worst development of events. Such a scenario of NATO frightens in earnest. "We perceive this, albeit a potential threat, very seriously," - said Pavel.

"The alliance is faced with attempts by Russia to increase military power in virtually all directions, and the Allies are ready to prevent the repetition of the Kremlin's armed intervention in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine," says the head of the military committee of the organization.

Currently, NATO is preparing to confront threats that emanate not only from states. The alliance is working to strengthen the fight against terrorism and continues to strengthen military cooperation with Turkey, despite the fact that the country's authorities have recently spoiled relations with a number of states that are members of NATO.

Pavel understood with understanding the personnel cleansing that the Turkish military command arranged after the coup attempt last summer. Events in Turkey, according to the general, need to be assessed "in the context of". It seems that Ankara feels more vulnerable in matters of internal security than other members of the alliance, the NATO general said.

Turkey, in his opinion, was confronted with both threats facing NATO - Russia and international extremism. All this can not but affect the behavior of Ankara.

In an interview with American journalists, the NATO general once again stated the threat that Russia supposedly poses to the Baltic republics, Poland and a number of other countries. Multiple statements by Moscow that the Russian Federation is not going to attack anyone, the leadership of the alliance misses the ears, continuing to build up its military presence on the "eastern flank".