Russia Warns It Can Strike NATO—But Won’t Start a War, Officials Say

Western intelligence officials say Moscow is escalating its aggressive language toward NATO but is not preparing for direct military conflict. Instead, Russia is expected to keep using “hybrid activity”—a term for covert operations like cyberattacks, sabotage, and political meddling—against alliance members, short of launching an actual invasion or airstrike. The assessment comes as Russian officials have intensified public threats, fueling fears of a broader confrontation. Yet according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Kremlin’s goal remains to weaken NATO through pressure and disruption, not to trigger a full-scale war. This distinction matters, they add, because it suggests that while the risk of accidental escalation exists, deliberate military action by Russia against NATO territory is not currently on the table. The alliance, for its part, continues to monitor the situation closely, reinforcing its eastern flank as a deterrent. For now, the message from Western capitals is cautious: expect more noise, more sabotage, and more cyberattacks—but not the sound of Russian tanks crossing NATO borders.