NATO Chief Says Not All Responses to Russian Hybrid Attacks Will Be Public

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   NATO Chief Warns Hybrid Responses May Stay Secret

   NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that not all responses to Russian hybrid attacks will be public, urging European nations to prepare for ongoing sabotage. The warning coincides with rising regional tensions as Russian officials issue counter-threats regarding nuclear responses and regional escalations. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports widened attacks targeting internet providers and data centres, while top alliance commanders emphasize that Moscow aims to break the will of Ukraine and its allies. European intelligence agencies and leaders continue to sound alarms over border incursions, heavy military losses, and infrastructure vulnerabilities across the continent.

   Why it matters

   The alliance faces an escalating campaign of covert operations and sabotage across European territory, testing the restraint of member states. Poland has responded to recent provocations by boosting its air defence capabilities. Concurrently, Moscow has threatened nuclear retaliation if the heavily militarized Kaliningrad exclave is isolated by NATO.

   What is confirmed

   • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged Europe to prepare for a world where Russia regularly indulges in sabotage.
   • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that war warnings could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
   • Ukraine reported that Russia widened attacks to hit internet providers and data centres.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Moscow warned NATO it is prepared to use nuclear weapons if the alliance attempts to isolate its Kaliningrad exclave.

   What to watch next

   • Further public or covert countermeasures from NATO members against Russian hybrid targets
   • Potential security developments surrounding the Kaliningrad exclave
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. The New York Times — Europe Warns of Russia’s Hybrid Attacks but Struggles to Counter Them
   2. CNBC — Russia could attack a NATO country within months, Danish intelligence warns
   3. www.aljazeera.com — Poland boosts air defence after ‘Russian provocations’ amid ...
   4. Reuters — Top NATO commander says Russia's goal is to break will of Ukraine's allies
   5. www.bbc.co.uk — Zelensky says Russia has widened attacks to hit Ukraine's data centres and internet providers - BBC News
   6. Euronews.com — NATO says Russian hybrid campaign not stopping support for Ukraine
   7. NPR — Europe on edge from threats of Russia's growing escalation. Can NATO defend itself? : Sources & Methods
   8. united24media.com — NATO Chief Says Not All Responses to Russian Hybrid Attacks Will Be Public
   9. Axios — Russia taking "heavy losses" with little gain, says Denmark
   10. The Seattle Times — Putin’s shadow war is testing NATO’s restraint
   11. www.hindustantimes.com — Russia-Ukraine tensions rising? Putin warns of using ‘all types of weapons’ if Kaliningrad attacked |....
   12. www.kyivpost.com — Lavrov Says War Warnings Could Become EU’s ‘Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’ - Kyiv Post
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