Poland and Lithuania warn about russian provocations against NATO
russia may be preparing hybrid operations and military provocations against NATO countries, including Poland and the Baltic states.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that russia may be planning an operation “under a false flag” using Ukrainian drones. According to him, the Kremlin may launch pre-prepared drones into russian territory or a NATO country in order to blame Ukraine and create a pretext for a retaliatory strike.
At the same time, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, citing intelligence data, stated about the possible preparation by russia of provocations in Poland or the Baltic states in order to test NATO unity. According to him, this may involve targeted physical attacks, and critical transport and energy infrastructure in the region is under threat. The President of Lithuania emphasized that the goal of such actions is to disrupt the operation of strategic facilities, including preventing the synchronization of the Baltic energy system with continental Europe.
russia’s behavior poses unprecedented challenges to European security. In response to these hybrid threats, Western partners are already reviewing their defense strategies: strengthening the protection of critical facilities, increasing intelligence cooperation, and preparing measures to counter russian provocations.
At the same time, as previously reported by the Center, russia is conducting a large-scale information operation in Poland aimed at inciting hatred towards Ukrainians and undermining Ukraine’s military and political support from Warsaw. The Center has also repeatedly documented that russia systematically uses hostile rhetoric towards the Baltic states, attempting to intimidate their citizens and justify its potential aggressive actions in advance.
