Russia warns of hybrid attacks on Poland, US cautions NATO

United States officials have warned European allies that Russia is revisiting plans for hybrid operations targeting NATO members, including possible drone or missile strikes on critical infrastructure in Poland. The warnings, reported by the Washington Post and echoed by experts at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, say that Russian strategy may involve creating ambiguous, “gray‑zone” incidents to test NATO’s response without overtly violating borders.

Analysts Iro Särkkä and Eoin Michael McNamara stress that a full‑scale invasion of Poland is unlikely, but hybrid provocations—such as false‑flag attacks, limited incursions, or cyber‑enabled explosions—could be used to embarrass the alliance. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has acknowledged the threat but noted no concrete military movements have been observed. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, said the country is preparing for various scenarios, while NATO leaders convene in Ankara to discuss collective support for Ukraine and deterrence measures against Russian aggression.