{
  "id": 9716779,
  "title": "Russia is Planning ‘Something Big’ This Year, Sikorski Warns as Escalation Fears Grow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/russia-is-planning-something-big-this-year-sikorski-warns-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T06:10:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Post",
    "slug": "kyiv-post",
    "url": "https://www.kyivpost.com/post/85376"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has cautioned that Russia is reportedly preparing \"something big\" this year, amid escalating concerns over the conflict with NATO. Sikorski made the remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where he stated that intelligence suggests Russia may be planning something significant, though he declined to disclose the sources. He also warned that the Kremlin might use the operation as a justification for further mobilization efforts within Russia, potentially employing a false-flag attack to convince the Russian people to support mobilization. Europe has been vigilant in recent months, with assessments indicating Russia could employ a variety of tactics, including sabotage, cyberattacks, drone activity, and a limited military operation, to test NATO's resolve. Sikorski highlighted the concerns of Belarusians, who fear being drawn into the war, noting that Belarus, a close ally of Putin, has not actively engaged in the conflict. However, Russia utilized Belarusian territory for part of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the country also hosts Russian nuclear weapons. Sikorski further warned that the Baltic countries, which contain Russian minorities, could be at risk of Russian escalation. He emphasized that NATO must be prepared to deter potential aggression, emphasizing that he believes a full-scale invasion against a NATO country would be foolish for Russia. The Polish minister also noted that Russia may continue its war efforts for another year or two, contingent on Ukraine not destroying more than half of Russia's refinery capacity. Sikorski explained that Russia still possesses two potential strategies: mobilization and a harsh winter, alongside the destruction of Ukraine's energy grid, heating systems, and major companies. While Moscow continues its attacks on Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure and the energy grid to weaken Ukrainian morale, Ukraine has intensified its long-range strikes, specifically focusing on oil refineries and strategic sites within Russia.",
  "summary": "Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned that Russia may be preparing a major operation this year, potentially including a false-flag attack to justify mobilization. He said Russia could test NATO through hybrid or limited actions, including in the Baltics or via Belarus, while continuing its war against Ukraine and targeting its energy infrastructure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}