Putin's Plan by 2030: GUR General Reveals Scenario of Direct Russian Invasion of NATO

The situation on the European continent in August 2026 remains tense, and Ukrainian intelligence continues to monitor the long-term strategic intentions of the Kremlin. Vadym Skibitsky, Major General and Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, voiced a worrying forecast in an exclusive interview with RBC-Ukraine: Vladimir Putin may order an invasion of the territory of North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries in the coming years. According to the high-ranking officer, Russia is already in the active phase of preparing for a large-scale conflict with the Western bloc.

Hybrid War as a Harbinger of Direct Invasion

Skibitsky emphasized that at the current stage, asymmetric threats and hybrid operations, which Moscow has already begun to implement against Alliance countries, are considered the most realistic. Since the spring of 2026, NATO countries have faced attacks by unidentified drones. If these incidents previously remained in the shadows, now Romania and Poland have begun to openly shoot down such targets, confirming the fact of hostile activity. In addition, narratives aimed at discrediting NATO weaponry are actively spreading in the information space, which is part of the information war.

The Factor of Pro-Russian Forces Inside Western Countries

The General paid special attention to the political situation inside Western countries. According to the GUR, the growing influence of pro-Russian political forces and public organizations, which are gaining increasing influence in NATO countries, cannot be ignored. These structures are viewed by intelligence as an important element of Russia's hybrid strategy, designed to weaken the unity of the alliance from within and prepare the ground for future military actions. Skibitsky noted that all these measures are indicators of preparation for a new round of escalation.

Strategic Horizon until 2030

The key conclusion of the intelligence is the time horizon of threats. Vadym Skibitsky stated that Russia is preparing for war with NATO countries until 2030 in its plans. This forecast correlates with open statements by the Alliance itself, which also acknowledges that by 2030, Russia will be capable of conducting more active and large-scale military actions against its members. The NATO bloc takes such a threat seriously, considering it quite real, and is preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Alliance Countermeasures and Industrial Mobilization

In response to the threat, NATO members are not only adjusting their own defense budgets by increasing funding but are also actively conducting combat training events. An important aspect is the deployment of defense industry enterprises to ensure a sufficient amount of ammunition and equipment. Alliance countries are moving from rhetorical statements to practical steps to strengthen the eastern flank, understanding that hybrid attacks can turn into a full-scale invasion.