Germany prepares strategic highway network for potential NATO troop movements

Germany's Defence Ministry is actively developing contingency plans to relocate "hundreds of thousands" of NATO troops through its territory in case of a conflict with Russia, responding to reports of heightened preparations amidst escalating tensions.

A spokesperson from the Bundeswehr Homeland Defense Command in Berlin confirmed to Newsweek that the classified "Operations Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) is under ongoing development and regular updates, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Following a report by Der Spiegel last week, indicating Berlin's readiness to transport approximately 800,000 NATO troops and 200,000 vehicles across its territory in the event of heightened tensions with Russia, a spokesperson emphasized the importance of swiftly relocating substantial NATO forces to the alliance's eastern flank as a cornerstone of conventional deterrence.

Der Spiegel reported that German and NATO strategists are strategizing on how to disperse this extensive force across Germany's main transportation routes, with particular focus on the A2 highway spanning approximately 300 miles from Oberhausen in the west to the outskirts of Berlin in the east, near the Polish border.

The A2 highway, along with its critical bridges, is anticipated to be a primary target for potential Russian strikes in the event of conflict, as reported by the newspaper.