BRUSSELS/WARSAW — NATO's top military commander gave Russia a blunt warning on Monday. He said alliance forces would destroy "anything and everything" involved in any attack if Moscow was "foolish enough" to strike allied territory.
"If someone is foolish enough to attack us, we will fight. We will, in short, ensure any attack against any ally proves utterly futile."
U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, spoke as Western officials grow more worried about what they call a Russian "hybrid" campaign of sabotage, cyberattacks and interference aimed at Ukraine's backers.
Block, Blunt, Break
Grynkewich laid out what he called his "theory of victory" for defeating an armed attack on the alliance.
"My theory of victory is simple: we will block the initial attack. If the attack persists, we will blunt it and prevent enemy advance. And if required, we will break the enemy's forces and the operational warfighting system that is arrayed against us."
A Shadow War in Europe
European governments have reported a string of suspicious incidents in recent months, including drone sightings near military sites and damage to critical infrastructure. Officials link many of these incidents to Moscow, which denies involvement. The incidents have pushed defense and the protection of undersea cables, energy networks and transport links to the top of the continent's agenda.
NATO says it is a purely defensive alliance and is not seeking to invade Russia. But Monday's message was clearly meant to make Moscow think twice about testing the alliance's resolve.
Why It Matters
The warning comes at a time of potential vulnerability for Europe, as the war in Ukraine continues and debate grows over diplomatic efforts to end it. How NATO balances deterrence with avoiding escalation will shape the security of more than 30 member nations, and of the world beyond them.
Source reporting: Reuters, France 24/AFP, October 12, 2026.
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