Russia ramps up rhetoric but wants to avoid war | Quik

Image source, Getty ImagesByJonathan Beale Defence correspondentPublished2 hours agoRussian President Vladimir Putin wants to avoid a direct military confrontation with Nato, despite increasingly hostile rhetoric aimed at the UK and other allies over their support for Ukraine, Western officials believe.

Some reports have suggested the visit by CIA chief John Radcliffe to Moscow this week was, in part, to warn Russia against a possible attack on a member of the Euro-Atlantic military alliance.

But the Western officials, who asked not to be named, said recent warnings from Moscow, including that UK forces could be targeted in future or that its weapons factories could be hit, were "nothing new".

They were, they suggested, consistent with Russia's military doctrine to apply pressure on the West.

The officials suggested that the hostile rhetoric was also a reflection of the growing pressure Putin is facing at home, with slow and costly gains in Ukraine along with the impact of Ukrainian long-range strikes deep inside Russia.

Putin and his officials have repeatedly dismissed warnings of Russian plans to attack Nato countries as hysteria. And US President Donald Trump appears to believe the Russian leader – saying this week that "he's not going to attack a Nato territory".

Not long before launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin had given public assurances that he had no intention of attacking Russia's neighbour - despite overwhelming US intelligence that such preparations were in full swing.

However, the senior Western officials said on Friday that Russia would likely continue its "hybrid activity", short of direct military action, using methods such as cyber-attacks, sabotage and even assassination attempts.

They said that was aimed at breaking Western resolve and support for Ukraine. One official highlighted the risks of that Russian strategy leading to a miscalculation -which could spark a military confrontation.

Russia is suspected of being behind a string of recent drone incidents in several Nato countries.

Earlier this month, a drone loaded with explosives reached a runway in Germany's Leipzig airport - a key logistics hub for transferring military equipment to Ukraine. There is no proof to link the incident directly to Russia, which has denied any role.

It came amid a string of drone sightings over European airports and military bases that began last year and which are also suspected of being the work of Russia, though it again denies this.

Following the Leipzig incident, the head of France's security services warned that "we must consider the possibility of direct, more violent hostile actions on our national soil".

Still, one Western official said Nato allies should remain calm but not complacent. The UK government has already made clear that recent Russian threats will not deter its support for Ukraine.

The Western officials said the Ukraine war had "escalated" this year, with both Moscow and Kyiv stepping up their own long-range strike campaigns.

Putin, they said, had not changed his maximalist objectives, despite some signs of increasing frustrations back home.

They said petrol shortages in Russia were having an impact on support for the war. They believed there was increasing political pressure on the Russian leader, but that this did not pose a critical challenge to his power.

Russia is still making slow gains in the eastern Donbas region. But it's also facing heavy casualties.

The officials said Russia was losing 6,000 more soldiers a month - either killed or wounded - than it can recruit.

That said, there is no indication yet that the Kremlin leader will resort to mass mobilisation.

CIA chief travels to Moscow for unannounced talks, US media reports

Drone carrying explosives found at German airport, police say

Russia's second-biggest online retailer targeted in Ukrainian strikes

Rosenberg: Shortage of petrol but not patriotism as Russians feel growing impact of war

PreviousNext1:01E-bike and e-scooter fires cause 18 deaths. 00:01:01, play videoE-bike and e-scooter fires cause 18 deaths1:07NHS warns of chaos in ADHD and autism care in England. 00:01:07, play videoNHS warns of chaos in ADHD and autism care in England0:52Ronnie O'Sullivan mural splits opinion. 00:00:52, play videoRonnie O'Sullivan mural splits opinion0:59Late Norwegian King remembered as a 'grandfather' to the nation. 00:00:59, play videoLate Norwegian King remembered as a 'grandfather' to the nation0:35Rain and thunder forecast for Bank Holiday weekend. 00:00:35, play videoRain and thunder forecast for Bank Holiday weekend1:25Serial rapist police officer passed vetting despite warnings. 00:01:25, play videoSerial rapist police officer passed vetting despite warnings0:55Lake Ontario to Lake America: Can Trump rename it? 00:00:55, play videoLake Ontario to Lake America: Can Trump rename it?0:48Kane discusses his Ballon d'Or chances. 00:00:48, play videoKane discusses his Ballon d'Or chances1:16GTA 6: What we still don't know after the preview. 00:01:16, play videoGTA 6: What we still don't know after the preview1:07What are the symptoms of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder? 00:01:07, play videoWhat are the symptoms of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder?0:58'£790 for jeans': How much is too much? 00:00:58, play video'£790 for jeans': How much is too much?0:45'Take care of yourself now' 00:00:45, play video'Take care of yourself now'0:29Where does salmonella get its name? 00:00:29, play videoWhere does salmonella get its name?0:44The spells Practical Magic 2 stars wish they could cast. 00:00:44, play videoThe spells Practical Magic 2 stars wish they could cast0:59What caused the Nepal-Tibet flash floods? 00:00:59, play videoWhat caused the Nepal-Tibet flash floods?1:03How you can tell this Nepal flooding video is made with AI. 00:01:03, play videoHow you can tell this Nepal flooding video is made with AI1:09The skills employers actually want you to have. 00:01:09, play videoThe skills employers actually want you to have0:43Xbox CEO: 'Players love physical media' 00:00:43, play videoXbox CEO: 'Players love physical media'Top storiesLive. Number of people missing after Nepal flash floods jumps significantly to nearly 2,000

97-year-old woman rescued after Nepali floods looked like 'a warrior'

Who are the 33 British nationals missing in Nepal?

Hypermobility - the little-known 'bendy disease' that causes pain and fatigue

Jacob Elordi on why The Dog Stars had him asking 'What am I missing' in life?

Girl dragged under van in 'worst nightmare' crash raises thousands for rescuers

I was spending £700 a month: How I beat my late-night shopping addiction

Weekly quiz: Who is taking over as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter series?

Former British-Israeli Hamas hostage married in Tel Aviv

I used to live in a quiet area - now a data centre overlooks my garden

Royal Watch: Get the latest royal stories and analysis with Sean Coughlan’s weekly newsletter

Low-key noughties sitcom starring Robert Webb and Paula Wilcox

Keith Richards recalls how he wrote the iconic 'Satisfaction'

An unlikely gang set out to catch a killer who shattered rural peace

Man dies and at least six injured after sign falls at Christian festival

Wife of man who died after turbulence sues airline

Who are the 33 British nationals missing in Nepal?

Right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE

Paul Heaton scores first number one album as Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 finally reaches top 40

Sarfaraz denies knowing about Pakistan threat to end tour

Russia ramps up rhetoric but wants to avoid war with Nato, Western officials say

World's youngest reigning traditional monarch dies aged 34

Disorder at balloon release unacceptable, says MP

Reading and Leeds Festival unveils major overhaul, but will it draw in a new crowd?