Tensions between Russia and NATO have skyrocketed over recent weeks.
Western leaders and spy chiefs fear Putin could be plotting major ‘hybrid’ attacks (Image: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin could be preparing to launch “hybrid” attacks against NATO countries supporting Ukraine, as well as mobilising 300,000 more troops, EU leaders and spy chiefs have warned. Intelligence gathered by the West suggests Russia is making preparations that would allow it to quietly expand its armed forces after the parliamentary elections, potentially bringing thousands more people into military service.
One intelligence source told The Telegraph: “What we are seeing is administrative preparations to make it possible to do it, if that was the decision.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously put the potential scale of a fresh Russian call-up at 300,000 people, citing intelligence obtained by Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has separately warned that Russia could launch “hybrid” attacks against countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland. Citing intelligence, the former European Council President warned potential Russian strikes could be presented as “accidental” and designed to test the resolve of NATO members. “These potential strikes would be quote-unquote ‘accidental’ in nature,” he told parliament.
Donald Tusk issued a horror warning (Image: Getty)
Mr Tusk said they could be “intended to paralyse or at least weaken the resolve of NATO states to invoke the relevant NATO provisions in the event of aggression against a member country”.
He also said such attacks could coincide with “political changes in certain European countries granting power”, although he did not name any countries.
The warning comes after Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to a Russian attack on western Ukraine close to the Polish border.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on X on Thursday that Russia had attacked “just a few kilometers from the Polish border”, although there had been no violation of Polish airspace.
He said Poland had increased the activity of F-16s and helicopters in recent weeks and was strengthening its air defence and rapid-response systems.
Western leaders have also warned that attacks could involve more intensive drone and missile launches into NATO territory, alongside hybrid strikes on key infrastructure and threats to undersea pipelines and communication cables.
Russian reservists during the partial mobilisation in September 2022 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
France is also stepping up its precautions, with Emmanuel Macron instructing officials on Friday to draw up measures aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure and the defence industry from possible sabotage.
Explaining the heightened concern, he said: “In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified.”
“The intent is to intimidate us and break our effort to support Ukraine. The result will be the exact opposite. We are not intimidated because we know that our security today and tomorrow is at stake in Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, there are also doubts among Western intelligence officials over whether Moscow has sufficient equipment for another 300,000 recruits, with one assessment suggesting a “very big public mass mobilisation feels unlikely”.
Instead, one intelligence source said: “We see lots of what we call ‘stealth’ mobilisation and extra efforts to drive up contract recruitment”.
According to the intelligence assessment, recruitment efforts have extended to people facing court proceedings, those struggling with debts and university students who have fallen behind with their studies.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has also raised concerns over whether Russia can maintain its current rate of recruitment.
In its latest analysis, it said: “Russia’s current casualty rate exceeds its recruitment rate by thousands per month, and the Russian war effort is even so failing to achieve its operational and strategic objectives.”
The Kremlin has denied it is planning a covert mobilisation after the elections.
European security concerns have also been heightened by reports that the US could significantly reduce its military presence in Europe.
The Telegraph reported that the Pentagon was considering withdrawing between 25,000 and 40,000 soldiers, as well as military aircraft, ships and weapons.
Washington rejected the reports, while NATO confirmed that its top military commander had discussed the future US troop presence in Europe with senior Pentagon officials.
BBC icon Jon Sopel breaks silence on Charles Spencer bombshell – and it’s scathing
The former BBC News star has had his say on bombshell claims made in Earl Spencer’s new book.
Jon Sopel has broken his silence (Image: Getty)
Former BBC chief political correspondent Jon Sopel has broken his silence on Earl Charles Spencer’s King Charles bombshell with a scathing comment. Over the past week, Spencer has been releasing excerpts from his new memoir Swan Song about his late sister Princess Diana, including allegations that the monarch was “giddily elated” when he talking about Diana’s death.
The palace has denied those claims and said “recollections may vary”, and Spencer has been accused of profiting off his sister’s passing. This weekend, a clip dating back to a 1998 interview with Spencer went viral on social media, in which Spencer said he would “never” dream of making money off his sister.
He said in an interview at the time: “People have lost track of this. Can you imagine anybody making a profit out of their brother or sister’s death? It’s so low it’s inconceivable. I don’t know anyone who would.
“But because the press can present Diana as a public figure, rather than as my sister, they can make it sort of a possible accusation, whereas of course it’s completely out of the question. I would never profit from Diana’s death.”
Now Sopel has shared that clip on X, tweeting: “1998: ‘I will never profit from Diana’s death’. 2026: book serialisation in Daily Mail, publication next week.” He included a shrugging emoji with his scathing response.
Charles Spencer said he would ‘never’ profit off Diana’s death (Image: Getty)
Fans were quick to respond on social media, with one writing: “Earl Spencer has made me agree with Jon Sopel. Wonders will never cease.”
Another said: “The Spencer family were never working in the interests of Diana. They’re still not.”
And a third penned: “Such a shame he’s done this now. What possible motivation does he have to create waves when none were forecast. A rather sad plea for help?”