If a war broke out between NATO and Russia, the professional army would not have been enough to complete tasks. The Czech Republic would need to carry out at least selective mobilization, said in an interview with čtk, the head of the General Staff of the Czech Army, Major General Karel Rzhegk.
“(in the event of a war with Russia), the whole society will have to connect, it will have to mobilize at least selectively, whether people or material resources,” he said. According to the head of the General Staff, the Czech Republic can be a legal goal for Russia, because allied troops will move in its territories.
The Czech Republic should learn a lesson from the war of Russia with Ukraine and involve all societies in defense of the country, and not just the army, Rzhegka noted. In his opinion, Ukrainians were able to protect themselves from Russia at the beginning of the war, because they were prepared, united as society and were ready to protect valuable values for them at all costs. “Let’s not rely on the fact that someone will do something for us. First of all, we must be decisive and ready,” he said.
Rzhegka also called Russia a potential opponent of the Czech Republic. “If in the near future we will potentially fight someone in a major war, except for some terrorist groups, then it will be Russia,” he said.
The head of the General Staff reminded of the hostile actions of Russia in relation to the Czech Republic. In October 2014, a powerful explosion occurred in the Czech village of Vrbetitsa, destroying more than 50 tons of ammunition. Two citizens of the Czech Republic were killed. The Czech Republic accused the Russian special services of attack.
“(Russia) does a lot of hostile things, calling us enemies, using hostile rhetoric towards us and becoming more and more aggressive,” Rzhegka added in an interview. He emphasized that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it will not stop there.