European Security

Putin on the reports: "We are not planning an attack"

Vladimir Putin denies that Russia has any aggressive plans regarding European countries other than Ukraine, AFP reports.

"Many in Europe speak of an imminent attack by Russia and therefore believe they must prepare for hostilities—for war against Russia. I want to emphasize once again: We are not planning any hostilities against Europe," he says.

Yesterday, two new reports emerged—one from Danish intelligence and one from a Lithuanian defense source speaking to *El Mundo*—citing an alleged CIA warning.

According to the reports, the risk of a limited Russian attack on NATO is increasing, and Spain, France, and Italy are said to be at risk of drone attacks.

Reports: Russia planning drone attacks against Spain, France, or Italy

Russia is planning to carry out drone attacks against Spain, France, or Italy. The US CIA has conveyed this warning to several European countries, a source close to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense told *El Mundo*.

Lithuanian authorities state they are aware that Russia plans to attack using "Gerbera" drones, which are just over two meters long.

"They will use drones launched from the sea, concealed in a shipping container on a vessel," the source says.

Several European countries are said to have possessed this information since the sudden trip to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on August 25. That could explain why Emmanuel Macron hastily and unexpectedly convened a series of crisis meetings in mid-September.

The fact that Spain, France, and Italy are singled out is linked to the upcoming elections in these countries in 2027. All three have more or less Kremlin-friendly fringe parties that could exploit public anxiety to campaign against support for Ukraine.

Denmark warns of increased risk of Russian attack on NATO: "Not theory – reality"

In the coming months, Russia is expected to escalate its hybrid warfare against Europe, while the risk of a "limited" Russian attack on a NATO country also rises. This is the conclusion reached by the Danish intelligence service (FE) in a new report, according to SVT News.

The report describes the risk of a Russian attack on a NATO country as "unlikely," yet something that can no longer be ruled out. Such an attack could occur while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, according to the FE—contrary to its previous assessment that Russia would only possess the capacity to wage a "local war" against a neighbor six months after the conclusion of the Ukraine conflict.

"What we are discussing today is not theory; it is something we are in the midst of—it is reality," said FE chief Thomas Ahrenkiel at a press briefing.