Tom Cotterill
NEW: Russia could attack a Nato country within weeks to test the alliance’s resolve, US intelligence has warned. American officials believe Russia might attempt to escalate tensions by mounting a small land incursion or launching cyber attacks across Eastern Europe any time from this autumn to 2029, The Wall Street Journal reported. The report marks a significant shift in US intelligence assessments from their previous stance that Vladimir Putin would not attack while still caught up in his war in Ukraine. Last month, The Telegraph reported that European and US intelligence had picked up on Russian considerations for an armed provocation on Polish soil, missile or drone attacks against critical infrastructure, or false flag attacks attempting to pin blame on Ukraine. Moscow was assessed to be planning these as options to escalate tensions amongst Nato allies and deter them from continuing to support Kyiv before the war’s fifth anniversary. Reports of a possible provocation come after a Russian missile landed in Poland last week and an explosive drone was found at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany on Tuesday. The drone’s target is believed to have been a Ukrainian jet carrying weapons. For months, the leaders of Poland and the Baltic states have spoken of the mounting threat posed by Russia to Nato’s eastern flank. On Thursday, the Lithuanian defence minister warned that the Kremlin was planning to use Ukrainian-made drones to attack the Baltics. Robertas Kaunas said Moscow could use the “false flag” attack in an attempt to divide Europe and weaken support for Ukraine. Full story by @Barnes_Joe and @emilysmith_7: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/07/russia-could-attack-nato-within-weeks-us-intelligence-warns/