Russian state TV discusses invasion plan for seizing Baltic states as Nato sends thousands of troops to eastern Europe

RUSSIAN state TV has been discussing seizing the Baltic states as NATO sends thousands of troops to bolster Eastern Europe. A pro-Kremlin former senior officer has laid out a chilling scenario for Russia capturing NATO countries Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as well as grabbing parts of Sweden. Colonel Igor Korotchenko outlined out the invasion could pan out At the end of his presentation, the three states and a Swedish island are under Russian control Thousands of NATO troops have been talking part in exercises near the Russian border and plans are being drawn up for a greatly increased permanent presence in eastern Europe. After gaining their independence when the Soviet Union collapsed, all three Baltic states joined NATO and continue to fear Vladimir Putin has designs on destabilising and invading, as he’s done in Ukraine. Just such a scenario was outlined on Russian state TV channel Rossiya 1 by Colonel Igor Korotchenko, formerly of the Russian General Staff and air force.  The pro-Kremlin expert said “this is how the scenario for capturing the Baltic countries might look”. READ MORE ON UKRAINE NO MERCY Mums forced to leave premature babies behind as 103 kids killed by Putin's troops IN COLD BLOOD Moment ‘Russians shoot dead civilian’ as he holds up his hands in Ukraine Using maps in English with NATO troop deployments on them, he outlines in sinister detail the invasion scenario. “A massive Russian radio-electronic strike is inflicted. All the means of electronic suppression are turned on. NATO radars go blind and see nothing.” Drawing on the map with and more red lines, he then turns to how Russia will overpower its foes. “At this time, on the Swedish island Gotland, Russian military planes land, delivering S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, and Bastion coastal anti-ship systems,” he said. “They are deployed – and for now no-one knows or sees anything. The West wonders: ‘Why do we see nothing? What happened to our radars?’” Sweden has traditionally been neutral but fears that Russia may try to grab the strategically important island of Gotland has led it to bolster its armed forces. Most read in News CHAOS RULES Live Ukraine war updates as Putin accused of making 3 MAJOR invasion errors RED ALERT Russia BANS Joe Biden and demands Alaska as state TV calls for nuke strikes on US BLITZED TO PIECES Dramatic moment Russian tank blown up as Ukrainians lay waste to invaders bent bust Ex-Prem star Marcus Bent is penniless and banned from road after £20k-a-wk career 'BOMB' SCARE Urgent evacuation at shopping centre after reports of bomb threat BRINK OF ARMAGEDDON Nuke war ‘a few steps away’ as West faces down Russia, warns RAF chief Korotchenko goes onto explain the Russians would push out from the enclave of Kaliningrad towards the Suwalki corridor to block access to NATO reinforcements from Poland. “The astonished west and NATO will know that Russia declares a no-fly zone of 400km,” he said, as the programme host nods approvingly. He then goes onto explain that the “entire Baltic sea” would then be under target from Russian forces. The presenter went on that “that those few special forces troops of Canada, UK, Germany and the USA, in the Baltic” will be “surrounded” by a Russian airborne forces and then “lay down their arms”. Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates The scenarios ends with the new Baltic states governments pledging allegiance to Moscow while Sweden agrees to perpetual neutrality and a 99 lease on Gotland. The programme went out on Russian television as the end of last year but was posted by Ukrainian government advisor Anton Gerashchenko. It has echoes of a televised address given by dictator Alexander Lukashenko in which he appeared to have revealed Moldova could be the next country to be invaded by Russia. The three Baltic states were independent nations until seized by the former Soviet Union in 1939 before they regained their freedom when the Communist giant collapsed. Fears of just such Russian action following the invasion of Ukraine has now prompted Nato to begin planning for what is Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the “new reality”. It comes as… Russia has now lost a fourth general in its faltering invasion of Ukraine.Footage appears to show the horrific moment Russian soldiers shoot dead a civilian as he holds up his hands.Mums have been forced to leave their tiny premature babies behind at a hospital.Russia has slapped a ban on Joe Biden and called for Alaska to become part of its territory again.Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted Ukraine may never join Nato in a key concession that could pave the way to peace.Ukraine has an unexpected trick up its sleeve in the battle against Russian forces and it comes in the form of a relatively cheap drone.A nine-year-old girl has lost her arm after Russian forces machine-gunned her family when they tried to flee Kyiv.Oligarchs including Roman Abramovich they may never be able to return to Britain, says Liz Truss. The exercise includes troops from more than 25 countries from Europe and North America, 200 aircraft, and 50 vessels for an exercise just a few miles from the Russian border. The aim of the drill is to test how Norway and Alliance members would work together on land, in the air, and at sea in line with Article 5 of NATO’s charter. That requires member states to come to the aid of another member state under attack. Ahead of a summit of NATO leaders on March 24, will tell military draw up plans for new ways to deter Russia, including more troops and missile defences in eastern Europe. “The surprise for Putin was the West was so united,” Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet said as he arrived at the NATO meeting. “He didn’t believe that. He has the wrong picture about western countries,” “We can’t be afraid, we have to stay calm, because Putin would like to see that everybody is afraid.” GettyUS soldier taking part in an exercise in Latvia[/caption] Twitter/ HMSPWLSThe HMS Prince of Wales with the USS Mount Whitney taking part in the Nato drill[/caption] Twitter/ HMSPWLSTroops from more than 25 countries will participate in the drill[/caption] Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund