U.S. Intelligence Warns of a New Threat from Putin — WSJ
U.S. intelligence believes that Vladimir Putin may launch an attack against one of the NATO countries even before Russia’s war against Ukraine ends. This assessment updates previous forecasts regarding the Kremlin’s possible next moves.
According to U.S. intelligence, the Kremlin leader may attempt to expand hostilities further into European territory.
He would need to do this to break the deadlock in the war against Ukraine.
These assessments come amid concerns over a shortage of certain critical munitions needed by the U.S. in the event of a potential military confrontation with Russia or China.
U.S. intelligence warns that Putin may indeed escalate his aggressive actions against Kyiv’s European allies.
The range of possible actions by the dictator is quite broad: from cyberattacks and localized provocations to a limited ground invasion.
It is also possible that the Kremlin leader could resort to even more dangerous measures if he finds himself in a corner.
Although the likelihood of the most extreme scenario—a limited ground invasion by Russia into one of the NATO countries—is currently assessed as low, analysts believe it is gradually increasing.
Until now, such a scenario was considered extremely unlikely, as it would trigger Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which provides for the collective defense of Alliance member states.
Incidentally, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently predicted that Russia could attack a NATO country within a few months, rather than years. At the same time, most intelligence agencies of the Alliance’s member states tend to believe that this could happen within the next few years.
This was reported with reference to The Wall Street Journal.
Putin replaced Russian commanders in Ukraine after plans to seize the Donbas fell through.
As a reminder, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law imposing strict restrictions on citizens abroad who have been convicted in absentia under political articles of the Russian Criminal or Administrative Codes, including for “discrediting” the army, calls for sanctions, or participation in “undesirable organizations.”
Since the start of the full-scale war, every trip Vladimir Putin takes resembles a military special operation.
