Tensions between Russia and NATO could escalate within the next few months, according to Michal Koudelka, head of the Czech Security Information Service, who outlined several possible scenarios in an interview with The Guardian.

Koudelka said an escalation could take different forms, ranging from a limited incursion into the territory of a NATO member to a false-flag operation or a large-scale information campaign. In his assessment, such developments could unfold within months rather than years.

The Czech intelligence chief also expects alleged Russian sabotage activity across Europe to intensify. He said European security services are working to prevent such scenarios.

Former BND chief Gerhard Schindler offered a more alarming assessment, arguing that confrontation between Russia and Europe is gradually moving toward a hotter phase. According to Schindler, Moscow is currently testing NATO’s response through hybrid operations.

He suggested that the next stage could involve limited strikes against military or civilian targets, including in the Baltic states, aimed at gauging how the alliance would respond.

Intelligence officials from Latvia and Sweden expressed similar concerns in comments to The Guardian, although their assessments differed over the likelihood of a direct military confrontation.

Normunds Mezviets, head of Latvia’s State Security Service, said his agency had not detected signs that Russia was preparing an attack.

The Kremlin has previously rejected claims that Moscow plans to attack NATO countries. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described such reports as unfounded scare stories.