Following the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on September 21, 2026, European media have resurfaced concerns about a potential Russian invasion of NATO countries in the near future. The head of the Czech counterintelligence, Michal Koudelka, stated in an interview with The Guardian that a limited invasion could occur within "months, not years."
Potential Targets of Russian Attacks
Koudelka identified several key targets that could be subject to Russian strikes:
- railway infrastructure;
- facilities related to assistance to Ukraine;
- defense industry enterprises.
Reactions from Military Experts
The head of Swedish military intelligence, Thomas Nilsson, called the recent incident involving an armed drone in Leipzig a "turning point." He stated that attacks that could result in human casualties or the destruction of critical infrastructure pose a serious threat to European security.
Former head of the German intelligence agency Gerhard Schindler also expressed concerns about further escalation of the conflict, noting that Russia is testing NATO's reaction through diversions and cyberattacks.
State Duma Elections and Their Consequences
In the State Duma elections, United Russia secured a record 355 out of 450 seats, providing them with a constitutional majority. However, observers reported numerous violations during the elections, including falsifications.
Amid rising tensions in the region and potential military actions, European leaders express concern about the future of Ukraine, especially regarding winter attacks on energy infrastructure.