Dismantle these tracks with the Russian gauge already – expert from the USA 0 87

He occasionally asks Latvian officials why Latvia has not yet dismantled the old railway line along the border.

"There are 40 kilometers of railway tracks with a wide Russian gauge. If you are not using it, not supplying to Russia – which you are not – and not buying goods from Russia – which you also do not do, then why do you even need this railway? Just get rid of it!" – emphasized Smith.

According to his analysis of the course of the war in Ukraine, it was the railway that was the only reason Russia was able to achieve what it did in the first six months of the war and even later, after retreating and concentrating forces around Donetsk.

"The only reason they can still supply their soldiers is the use of the railway. This is how Russia fights – with the help of the railway. If the Baltic states want to prevent an invasion, dismantle your railway tracks with the Russian gauge. Get rid of them," Smith told LETA.

In his opinion, all railway tracks located east of Daugavpils should be dismantled, leaving only those that are truly necessary – those leading west and south from Daugavpils.

The expert expressed understanding regarding the fact that building a new railway of European gauge takes so much time, but emphasized that such a railway is necessary for Latvia for many reasons, not just military ones.

"For economic integration, a European gauge railway opens up many more opportunities for transporting goods between the economies of the three Baltic countries than maritime transport. Yes, shipping remains the cheapest way of delivery, but the railway is definitely more necessary from a military point of view," said Smith.

In response to a question about various provocations by Russia in the West, the expert agreed that their goal is to test what the reaction of NATO and the alliance countries will be – both collectively and individually.

"I think this is a sign that Russia is not achieving its goals in Ukraine, so it needs something else to talk about with its population. All of this is very much related to the domestic audience. What message can the Kremlin send to all of Russia? They have not yet won in Ukraine. They continue to claim they will win, but they are not winning. They need a new narrative," Smith believes.

In Russia's attempts to intimidate the West with its drones, the expert sees a certain basis, as Ukraine and Russia are currently the two leading experts in the world in conducting warfare using drones.

"NATO has not yet become an expert in drone warfare. Perhaps China also knows a lot about using drones in military operations, but no one knows for sure because we haven't seen anything. They haven't done it, and as long as you haven't done it – you learn nothing. Nothing is like a battle until you have been in one yourself, and at the moment only Ukraine and Russia are participating in real battles," noted Smith.