Christopher Todd Donahue is an American general, born August 13, 1969. As of December 10, 2024, he has commanded United States Army Europe and Africa and Allied Land Command NATO. Previously, from 2022 to 2024, he was commander of the 18th Air Corps and Fort Bragg.
During this time he established close cooperation with the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, supporting them in repelling the Russian invasion. From 2020 to 2020, he was the head of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his career, he served as staff and commanding officer in the U.S. Army, including the Delta Force peculiar unit. He besides worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during operations in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. For merit he was awarded, among others, 2 Bronze Stars with discrimination for courage.
During the LandEuro conference in Wiesbaden, General Donahue presented a plan to defend the east flank of NATO, named "Eastern Flank Deterrence Line". It aims to increase the interoperability of land forces and to guarantee fast readiness to halt Russian aggression.
W rcommunication with journalists General Donahue stressed the importance of land domain in modern conflicts:
“The land domain does not lose meaning, but it does gain meaning. The A2AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) can now be removed from the ground, meaning a military strategy to control access to a circumstantial area and prevent the opponent from acting freely in the area.) You can control the sea by operating from land. We see all this in Ukraine.”
Referring to Kaliningrad, the general said:
"Kaliningrad in Russia is about 47 miles wide and is surrounded by NATO from all sides. The Army and its allies have already had the chance to disable it in a time that would have previously been unthinkable — faster than always before.”
Donahue besides pointed out the function of data-based systems and cloud technologies:
“We know precisely what we request to do with the cloud and we know precisely the types of unmanned systems, brigades and another elements we need.”
Among the key elements of the plan, he listed a joint launcher capable of offensive and defensive activities and a fire management system, including optional manned systems:
“We want it to be 1 system, optionally manned with a crew that can usage ammunition from any country and shoot it.”
He besides highlighted the importance of cost-effectiveness:
“Every weapon system, all ammunition we use, should be cheaper than what is to be destroyed.”
Referring to the arms industry, he said:
“We sent a clear signal — we know precisely what we need. If you're selling us something, it should be interoperable. You gotta share an API (application programming interface). Costs must fall.”
General Donahue acknowledged that bureaucracy impeded action, but announced reforms of military sales rules and accelerated US Army action in this area.
These plans form part of a wider NATO strategy. Germany late deployed its first permanent armored brigade in Lithuania — 45. Armoured Brigade — which is to be a ‘key signal for strengthening the east flank’. The operation is to accomplish full combat readiness by 2027. Germany besides increases defence spending, supporting the safety of the alliance.
General Donahue's plans indicate a fresh quality in NATO's approach to land defence — fast response, technology integration, strategy modularity and cost-effectiveness are key priorities in the pact strategy.
The Kaliningrad Oblast is 1 of the most militarised places in Europe. Russia maintains an extended military cast there, which includes all types of armed forces: land troops, navy, air force, anti-aircraft defence and rocket potential. The 11th Army Corps, with about 12–15 1000 soldiers, is at the head of land forces in the region. It consists of mechanized, armoured and artillery units. Key formations are the 18th Guarded Infantry Division, respective tank regiments equipped mainly with T-72B3, as well as artillery brigades, including units armed with Iskander-M rocket systems. The second can carry both conventional and atomic warheads. The Kaliningrad Oblast is besides a base for the 336th Guarded Marine Brigade, stationed in Baltijsk. Coastal defence systems, specified as Bastion-P, are besides deployed in the region, capable of damaging maritime targets.
The circuit aviation is based on units equipped with Su-27, Su-30SM and Su-24M front bombers. Key elements are besides anti-aircraft defence systems, especially respective regiments equipped with S-400, Tor-M2 and Pancyr-S1 launchers. These systems form the alleged A2/AD bubble, which is simply a region that prevents the enemy from operating.
The Baltic fleet, although its main forces are stationed in Kaliningrad, is alternatively auxiliary. Includes submarines, landing units, rocket and auxiliary vessels, supporting both sea activities and land operations.
Particular attention is paid to the presence of atomic infrastructure. In the circuit there are warehouses that according to Western services can be prepared to store atomic weapons. Iscanders deployed in the region are a real means of force on NATO countries. The full number of Russian armed forces in the Kaliningrad Oblast is estimated to scope from 15 to 25 1000 soldiers, depending on rotation and current operational needs. In fresh years, however, the number has changed — according to any reports, Russia has reduced its presence in the region, moving any of its forces to the Ukrainian front.
