NATO Considers Pre-Emptive Strikes as Russia’s “Shadow War” Intensifies

A top NATO admiral suggests the alliance might consider striking preemptively to counter Russia’s growing sabotage campaign, marking a significant doctrinal shift.

Here’s what went down 👇

Read this if you're following European security, hybrid warfare, or NATO's evolving posture.

📍 What Just Happened

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone says NATO is now actively studying pre-emptive options in response to Russia’s covert attacks,  including sabotage, drone incursions, cyber strikes, and infrastructure disruption.

That includes:

• Baltic undersea cables cut

• Airspace violations

• Warehouse fires

• Cyberattacks across the EU

• Drones shutting down airports

Eastern European states are urging NATO to stop reacting and start hitting back.

💻 What “Proactive” Might Look Like

Dragone says cyber retaliation would be easiest.

But he did not rule out strikes against physical Russian assets under certain legal conditions.

🇷🇺 Russia’s Response

Moscow accused NATO of “preparing for a major war with Russia” and “scaring its population.”

Meanwhile, U.S. and Ukrainian diplomats in Florida are negotiating a possible peace framework,  without Ukraine's powerful former chief of staff Yermak, who resigned Friday.

🧠 Why It Matters

If NATO shifts from reactive to pre-emptive operations, it would be the biggest doctrinal change in the alliance’s modern history,  and a sign that Europe sees Russia’s shadow operations as an act of war.

🧾 The Bottom Line

NATO isn’t just watching Putin’s hybrid attacks anymore.

It’s debating whether to strike first.