Germany Plans Treatment Capacity for 1,000 Daily Troop Casualties in Potential NATO-Russia Conflict

Germany's armed forces are preparing to handle up to 1,000 wounded soldiers per day in the event of a large-scale conflict with Russia, reflecting concerns about escalating tensions and recent Russian incursions into NATO territory. Surgeon General Ralf Hoffmann highlighted that casualty numbers would depend on battle intensity and units involved, noting a significant shift in the nature of injuries from gunshot wounds to blast injuries and burns caused by drones and loitering munitions, as observed in the Ukraine conflict. Due to the prevalence of drones, evacuating the wounded quickly is often impossible, necessitating prolonged stabilization at the frontline. To address these challenges, Germany is adapting its medical training and exploring flexible transport options for the wounded, including hospital trains, buses, and expanded air medical evacuation capabilities. These preparations are part of broader European efforts to ready medical services for potential conflict with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Despite Moscow's denial of plans for aggression, NATO remains cautious amid warnings of possible Russian attacks by 2029.