NATO is actively considering “pre-emptive” measures against Russia following a series of hybrid attacks across Europe, a senior alliance official has warned, signaling a potential shift toward a more forceful deterrence strategy as the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year. Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, told the Financial Times that the alliance may need to adopt a more “aggressive” posture to counter Moscow’s escalating campaign of cyber intrusions, drone incursions and suspected sabotage at sea.
The comments follow a string of incidents that have placed NATO on high alert. A recent FT investigation revealed that three vessels in the Baltic Sea were accused of dragging anchors to damage undersea energy and communications cables, part of 11 documented cases that raised urgent security concerns. European governments have also reported persistent cyberattacks and repeated Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace, heightening fears that Moscow is testing the limits of the alliance’s response.
Admiral Dragone said NATO is “studying everything” as it weighs options for confronting these threats. He noted that the alliance has traditionally taken a reactive approach on cyber issues but is now considering whether a proactive or more forceful response may be necessary. He acknowledged that such a shift would be unusual for NATO, yet argued that new tactics may be required given the evolving nature of the conflict.
Dragone suggested that under certain conditions, a NATO “pre-emptive strike” could be interpreted as a form of defensive action, even if it departs from the alliance’s conventional mindset. He emphasized that there are major unresolved questions around legal authority, jurisdiction and operational responsibility, making any such move contentious.
The heightened debate comes after NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry in January to bolster security in the region. The mission expanded patrols of aircraft, warships and drones to deter potential Russian aggression and increase surveillance of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”—ships of unclear ownership used to transport sanctioned oil. Dragone called the operation a success, noting that “nothing has happened” since it began, which he said demonstrates effective deterrence. But concerns remain about gaps in the legal and operational framework. A Finnish court recently dismissed a case against a shadow-fleet crew accused of damaging undersea cables because the incident occurred in international waters, underscoring the challenges of attributing and prosecuting hybrid attacks.
Moscow condemned Dragone’s remarks on Monday, calling them “extremely irresponsible” and an attempt to escalate the conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the comments undermine efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and warned that NATO officials “should be aware of the risks and possible consequences, including for the alliance members themselves.”
