Danish intelligence has issued one of the starkest western warnings yet, saying Russia could launch a limited military attack against a bordering NATO country in the coming months.
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Key facts
- The Danish defence intelligence service published the warning in a report on Thursday.
- It cited a 'low but growing risk' of Russian long-range strikes on NATO infrastructure supporting Ukraine.
- The report warned Russia could carry out a limited incursion into a neighbouring country, potentially with troops operating without insignia.
- The warning came hours after Poland described a fire at a Starlink satellite station as an 'act of sabotage'.
- Denmark said Russia is likely to ramp up hybrid warfare against the West in the coming months.
Russia could launch a limited military attack against a NATO country in the coming months, the Danish defence intelligence service has warned, in one of the starkest assessments yet from a western security service.
In a report published on Thursday, the Danish intelligence agency warned of a ‘low but growing risk’ that Russia could launch long-range strikes on NATO infrastructure supporting Ukraine, according to the Guardian. It also cautioned that Russia could carry out a limited incursion into a neighbouring country using a small number of troops, potentially operating without insignia.
Sky News reported that the warning specifically concerned the possibility of a limited military attack against a NATO country that Russia borders, and that Denmark expects Moscow to ramp up hybrid warfare against the West in the coming months.
The assessment landed hours after Poland said a fire at a Starlink satellite station was an ‘act of sabotage’, according to the Guardian, heightening concern across the alliance about threats to critical infrastructure.
The references to troops without insignia and to hybrid warfare point to tactics that fall short of open, large-scale conflict but that could still test NATO’s response and its collective defence commitments.
The reports did not specify which NATO country might be targeted or provide a precise timeline beyond the coming months.
Why it matters
A warning from a NATO member's intelligence service that Russia could attack the alliance raises the stakes for European security and the risk of direct confrontation. Because NATO operates on collective defence, an attack on one member could draw the entire alliance into a wider conflict.
Frequently asked questions
What did Danish intelligence say Russia might do?
The Danish defence intelligence service warned of a 'low but growing risk' that Russia could launch long-range strikes on NATO infrastructure supporting Ukraine, or carry out a limited incursion into a neighbouring NATO country with a small number of troops, potentially without insignia.
When could this happen?
The report said such action could come in the coming months, but it did not give a more precise timeline.
What happened in Poland around the same time?
Hours before the warning, Poland said a fire at a Starlink satellite station was an 'act of sabotage', according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Russia could attack a NATO country within months, Danish intelligence warns
CNBC Top News: The new threat assessment joins a growing chorus of Russia warnings from top European security officials and lawmakers in recent days.
- Russia could attack a NATO country within months, Danish intelligence warns
Sky News: Russia could launch a limited military attack in the coming months against a NATO country that it borders, Danish intelligence has warned.
- Russia could attack a Nato country within months, Danish intelligence says
The Guardian World: Warning comes hours after Poland says fire at Starlink satellite station was ‘act of sabotage’ Russia could launch a limited military attack against a Nato country in the coming months, Danish intelligence said, in one of the starkest warnings yet by western security services. In