NATO countries warn: Russia preparing possible provocation in Baltic or Poland

Western sources also express concern that the danger may be on the rise, as the Kremlin is facing pressure from long-range Ukraine's attacks on targets near Moscow and St. Petersburg.

On Monday, Latvia's intelligence stated: “We see indicators that Russia is preparing military provocations against Baltic countries or Poland”, adding that they would not reach the level of a full attack.

A top political source from another NATO member state made a similar statement last week, saying that “we are getting information” that Vladimir Putin “is planning something against Baltic states”.

According to these sources, Putin may be willing to test US support for some of NATO's smallest countries -- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- in a desperate attempt to change the course of war in Ukraine.

The Latvian intelligence stressed that Russia is unable to open a second front, but is looking at “hybrid attacks”, such as rockets, fears or other actions intended to send a message: stop support for Ukraine, otherwise there will be consequences.

Although warnings seem interrelated, they are not accompanied by strong details, unlike CIA and MI6 warnings prior to Ukraine's full invasion in February 2022, reports Theuardiaan Periscope broadcasts.

However, they come at a moment when Russia's advance in Ukraine has slowed, raising questions about whether the Kremlin could use alternative strategies to change the situation in its favour.

Russia's expert from Chatham House, Keir Giles, said Moscow could seek ways to disrupt the current trend through horizontal escalation of conflict or actions in other countries.

He added that Russia should not be expected to accept passive defeat.

Meanwhile, Russia's relative weakness was highlighted this week after the drone transmission stations in Belarus stopped after threats from Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned Belarus a week ago, saying the equipment is being used for attacks on Ukraine.

NATO is expected to hold the annual summit in Ankara this month, at a time of uncertainty about the US commitment to the alliance.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine's full invasion, several waves of sabotage and provocative Russian activity have been recorded in NATO countries, including sending firepacks to Britain, Poland, and Germany in the summer of 2017.

Also, in last September, 19 Russian fears entered Poland's airspace, forcing NATO to establish fighter planes to neutralize.

Ukraine has already developed capabilities of long-range attacks, hitting targets of up to 2,000km inside Russia. Last week, about 200 fears hit several locations in Moscow, causing major damage.

A Western military source said there is concern that Russia could react sharply if Putin feels pressure from the developments in the war.

“is a danger period,” it said./ Periscope.