Western Intelligence Agencies Have Pointed To A Key Miscalculation By The Kremlin

• 29.08.2026, 15:15

Europe is ready to respond.

The Kremlin intends to continue its hybrid attacks against NATO countries, while striving to avoid direct military confrontation. However, according to sources The Telegraph in Western intelligence agencies, Moscow’s strategy could backfire and lead to an unintended escalation.

According to one Western intelligence official, there is no doubt about Russia’s desire to conduct hybrid operations against NATO countries—whether through sabotage or cyberattacks: Putin is interested in avoiding a direct confrontation with NATO, but such tactics carry the risk of miscalculation.

Recently, direct threats against the United Kingdom have been coming from Moscow with increasing frequency. For example, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that London could face “catastrophic consequences” due to its support for Ukraine. In Western capitals, such statements are viewed as part of Russian propaganda aimed at intimidating Kyiv’s allies and putting pressure on them.

At the same time, the West is determined to respond decisively even to military operations by Moscow that are limited in scale.