US intelligence issues urgent chilling Russia attack warning to NATO countries
NATO must be on red alert as US intelligence fears Russia could attack them within weeks.
US officials had previously believed that Vladimir Putin would not risk directly provoking NATO by attacking one of their 32 member nations as Russia's war with Ukraine rages on with little sign of victory.
But that's changed now.
The Wall Street Journal reports that US intelligence now believes Putin is planning to test NATO's defences and resolve.
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A small-scale land incursion has been mooted as a possibility, with armed soldiers being sent to occupy territory, specifically on the alliance's eastern flank.
The report states that one possible plot Putin could hatch is to try and lay claim to a city in Poland or one of the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which border Russia.
All four countries are in NATO and a land incursion into any would trigger NATO Article 5, which states an attack against one member is an attack against all of them.
That obviously has some quite concerning repercussions, and is why such an attack has been considered highly unlikely in the past.
A cyberattack on a NATO country has also been considered as a possibility.
NATO spokesperson, Colonel Martin O’Donnell, said: “We are always thinking through and preparing for any number of scenarios.
“NATO is watching, and we are ready to deter and defend as necessary.”
The report adds the attack could come as early as the autumn this year or at some point before 2029.
Concern is growing about a possible Russian attack
It's not just US intelligence who believe such an attack is possible, with a vocal opponent of Putin, Russian politician Garry Kasparov, thinking Russia could launch a 'small incursion' into Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania or Poland – all countries who have backed Ukraine during Russia's invasion – as the country's leader is in need of a morale-boosting win.
"I think the chances are growing because Putin needs a winning narrative and Ukraine doesn’t offer it," he said, as reported by The Sun.
Meanwhile, Lithuania is on guard against false-flag attacks by Russia using Ukraine-made drones in attempt to sow division, while the nation's president, Gitanas Nausėda, recently said: “I cannot deny that we have such information and that it concerns kinetic operations.
“Not on a large scale, but targeted kinetic operations that are very likely to be directed against critical infrastructure.”
NATO members already believe Russia are probing their alliance with small-scale provocations.
There has been a marked increase of drones being flown in NATO airspace and Russia have also been jabbing the United Kingdom.
A Russian warship fired shells near the UK last month
On Wes Streeting's first day as Defence Secretary on July 20, the Russian warship Neustrashimy spent 30 minutes firing shells into the waters 40 miles off the Plymouth coast.
Streeting called the provocation the 'tip of the iceberg and told The Sun: “Incidents like buzzing air space or the shooting in the Channel are performative, irresponsible and designed to provoke.
“It does at least provide the British with a visible manifestation of the provocations we see from Russia every day.
“With tyrants like Putin — if you compromise, they come back for more.”
It was the latest in a string of incidents involving Russia meddling in British affairs.
Topics: Vladimir Putin, Russia, NATO, US News, World News
Daniel Murphy