Interview with weapon general Sławomir Wojciechowski, commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin - Nobilis Media

- Yes. Especially with regard to the maneuvering and ballistic missiles deployed in the Kaliningrad District, which have sufficient range to potentially affect most European capitals. The very presence of this type of offensive is a challenge for any military planner.

- If we assume that the so-called "hybrid operations" include the use of non-military means for military purposes, or military means for peacekeeping purposes, such activities include, for example, the deployment of ISKANDER missiles in the Kaliningrad District, the installation of anti-ship missiles capable of affecting hundreds of miles deep into the Baltic Sea, or the deployment of state-of-the-art anti-aircraft guns, whose scope covers the area of ​​many NATO countries. On the other hand, we have coordinated activities in the information space, thematically and problem-oriented focused on the specificity of individual countries. In the case of Lithuania and Latvia, the presence of NATO forces in these countries is used, in the case of Poland the object is historical memory, and in the Czech Republic we have another "monument conflict". There are more elements known from the journalistic name "hybrid war" if we include Ukraine in our considerations. If we assume that the goal of these activities is to undermine cohesion among the countries of the region, mainly NATO and European Union countries, then demonstrative activities under COVID-19 should also be included, as in the case of Italy.

- From a military point of view, the biggest challenge could be a sudden military operation against one of the Baltic States, aimed at creating a fait accompli (fait accompli). In this case, time and facts work to the detriment of both the Baltic States and the entire Alliance. No less dangerous scenario may be the unpredictability of the fate of the Republic of Belarus and its relations with Russia.

- The Baltic Sea is of key importance due to the fact that it is a direct base for NATO countries and operational depth. It is a place of direct contact with NATO's largest military competitor in Europe. Currently, one of the largest intensities of military airborne and reconnaissance operations occurs here. The Baltic Sea and the entire region is one of the priority places in crisis and defense allied concepts.

- As a result of the evolution of the NATO concept, WKPW acts as the Land Component Command. Thus, in crisis situations, it will cooperate closely with the components of: the sea, air and NATO Special Forces. Due to the coastal nature of the area, where the VCC can potentially conduct operations with subordinate units, the Baltic Sea is a key element in the success of land operations. Bearing in mind the need to secure the shoreline covering about five thousand kilometers, as well as to ensure freedom of navigation on the Baltic Sea, the corps is prepared to cooperate with its counterpart at sea. We assume that the possibility of fire support and coordination of air operations from the Baltic Sea will be of great significance. In addition, we anticipate that we will be the element supported by other components.

- In practice, the North-East Corps does not conduct any coordination activities with the Polish Navy in the Baltic Sea. MW RP does not conduct independent maritime operations that could be used by the corps. A separate problem remains the question of whether this is the result of lack of ability or rather lack of ability is the result of a lack of ambition and aspiration in this regard. At present, the partner with which the corps has established cooperation is the Baltic Maritime Component Command operating from German Rostock.

Interviewed