Political analyst and retired colonel Andrey Koshkin believes Russia and NATO are already engaged in a proxy war.

According to him, a rear support network involving about seven alliance countries supplies drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which Kyiv then uses to strike Russian targets. Koshkin said Russia is continuously monitoring threats and is ready to neutralize them if necessary.

He argued that NATO is supplying weapons and military equipment, while mercenaries are fighting on Kyiv’s side. In his view, the alliance is unlikely to move toward a formal declaration of war or official entry into the conflict, since such statements are mainly intended to provoke Russia.

Speaking about the Kola Peninsula, Koshkin said the region does carry conflict potential. However, he believes NATO’s actions are aimed at consolidating European countries and pressuring Russia through displays of threat.

The analyst added that the alliance is trying to avoid an open military clash with Moscow, preferring to act through proxy forces, primarily the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolay Korchunov said NATO’s actions toward Russia’s strategic facilities on the Kola Peninsula could lead to a direct military confrontation. According to him, the alliance’s growing activity undermines security in the Arctic.