Putin may try to attack NATO as early as autumn, US intelligence believes
However, a limited ground invasion is considered unlikely.
Photo: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images
New US intelligence assessments suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin may try to test NATO's resolve with a limited strike on one of the alliance's countries in the next few years — from a cyberattack to a small ground invasion. The timeframe is from this autumn to 2029, writes The Wall Street Journal.
Previously, the US believed that Putin would not provoke NATO while hostilities continued in Ukraine. But this assessment has changed: Putin is under pressure due to failures on the front, as Ukrainian drones inflict increasing damage on Russia's army and oil industry, and he seeks to achieve victory.
The US and European allies are increasingly registering signs of Russia's probing attacks — for example, Russian cruise missiles have flown into Poland, and drones into Romania.
The goal of a possible attack on NATO, if it occurs, is to split the alliance.
The most dangerous scenario is a limited ground invasion, but it is considered unlikely.
In parallel, there is concern about the shortage of critically important ammunition in the US — due to supplies to Ukraine and the conflict with Iran. This refers to Precision Strike Missiles, ATACMS, Stinger MANPADS, as well as Patriot, SM-3, THAAD air defense systems.
The Pentagon and the White House refute claims of ammunition shortages, stating that the US has "more than enough" weaponry for President Trump's objectives.
According to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in a war with Iran, the US would expend 1060–1430 Patriot missiles, leaving about 870 in reserve — which raises concerns about the capabilities to simultaneously deter Russia and China.