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WORLD

Europe fears Russia is preparing to test Nato’s limits

European intelligence chiefs have warned that Russia’s appetite for risk is growing as sabotage and other covert attacks target countries supporting Ukraine. The suspected operations are described as part of a hybrid or “shadow war” intended to disrupt aid for Ukraine while remaining below the threshold that could trigger a military response.

Illustrative photo · Photo by Toni Malfilatre · Pexels

European intelligence chiefs have warned that Russia’s appetite for risk is growing, according to the source report.

Sabotage and other covert attacks have targeted European countries supporting Ukraine. The activity is believed to trace back to Russia and is described as a hybrid or “shadow war.”

The suspected operations are intended to disrupt support for Ukraine while deliberately remaining below the threshold for a military response, the report says.

THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND

What evidence supports the attribution of the sabotage and covert attacks to Russia?

How do governments determine when covert activity crosses the threshold for a military response?

What risks do European countries face if support for Ukraine continues to expand?

How might uncertainty over attribution affect public support for further assistance to Ukraine?

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22 September 2026 · 11:09 · 1 sources

Sources

World — Tuesday briefing: Europe thinks Russia is preparing to test Nato’s limits

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