Any NATO country could theoretically request protection under the alliance's Article 5 on mutual defense due to Russian hybrid operations, the Voice of America (VoA) reported on July 10, citing an unnamed senior alliance official.
NATO's Article 5 commits each member state to consider an attack against one member state to be an attack against them all.
When asked what NATO's response to Moscow's hybrid operations and attempts to destabilize Europe might be, the official said that "it all depends on what actions Russia continues to take."
At this time, no NATO member state has made the request, the VoA's source said on the sidelines of the alliance's summit in Washington.
Western intelligence officials have reportedly warned about increasing Russian sabotage operations across Europe. Such a threat led to heightened security at U.S. military bases in Europe, CNN reported in early July, citing unnamed sources.
Over the past six months, Polish authorities have arrested 18 people on suspicions of pursuing hostile activities or sabotage in collaboration with Russia or Belarus, according to the Polish Interior Ministry.
Several other suspects have been arrested over the past year in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, and other countries, for allegedly spying for Russia or other forms of collaboration with Russian intelligence.
Dmytro Basmat
(Updated: )
