NATO on Alert as Denmark Warns of Growing Russian Hybrid Threat

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on citizens of the alliance’s 32 member countries to remain calm as European intelligence agencies warn that Russia is likely to intensify its hybrid campaign against the West, including sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation and drone-related incidents. Rutte said NATO has plans and response options in place to deal with such threats, while insisting that the alliance is prepared to defend every inch of its territory.

Speaking at a ceremony in New York marking the September 11 attacks, Rutte said NATO should not allow Russia’s hybrid activities to create fear or divert attention from Ukraine. He said Moscow is not winning the war and argued that the best response is continued support for Ukraine. “All the response options are there,” Rutte said, adding that NATO could respond symmetrically, asymmetrically or through measures that are not publicly disclosed.

His comments came after Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) warned that Russia is expected to conduct hybrid attacks more frequently and with potentially greater consequences. The assessment cited possible destructive cyberattacks capable of disrupting critical societal functions and sabotage operations carrying a high risk of casualties. It said Russia has become increasingly willing to take risks.

DDIS also assessed a “low but growing risk” that Russia could launch a limited military attack against one or more NATO countries bordering Russia, potentially to divert European resources from Ukraine, test NATO’s collective response and create divisions within the alliance. However, the agency said there are no indications of an outright Russian invasion of NATO territory and considers such a scenario highly unlikely. It estimated Moscow would need at least six months to prepare for such an operation.

The warning follows concerns across Europe over suspected Russian-linked sabotage, cyber operations and attacks on critical infrastructure. NATO has strengthened its eastern flank through measures including Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry, while the EU has expanded its response to hybrid threats.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could use drones or rockets against countries supporting Ukraine and portray attacks as accidental. He also highlighted the growing use of faster, higher-flying jet-powered drones.

At the same time, NATO officials have cautioned against overreaction. The alliance says significant hybrid or cyberattacks could potentially fall under Article 5, depending on circumstances, but every incident is assessed individually.

The emerging challenge is therefore to strengthen deterrence without triggering escalation. NATO is increasing surveillance, intelligence-sharing and infrastructure protection while urging public confidence. The immediate concern is not an imminent full-scale war, but a potentially intensifying grey-zone confrontation in which sabotage, cyberattacks, drones and disinformation could test NATO’s unity and resilience.