NATO is openly signaling a major shift in strategy as Russia intensifies its hybrid warfare campaign across Europe, prompting senior defense leaders to warn that the alliance may soon move from a reactive posture to a “pre-emptive” one.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, confirmed that the alliance is actively evaluating stronger measures in response to Moscow’s rapidly expanding use of cyber attacks, drone incursions, and suspected maritime sabotage aimed at vital European cables and energy links.

According to a recent investigation, at least 11 suspicious incidents occurred in the Baltic Sea in which vessels—believed to be operating on Russia’s behalf—allegedly dragged their anchors to damage undersea infrastructure. Combined with relentless cyber operations and repeated drone violations into NATO airspace, the pattern represents a clear escalation of Russia’s hybrid warfare toolkit.

Admiral Dragone told the Financial Times that NATO is “studying everything” as it reassesses how to deter Moscow. He stressed that while the alliance traditionally avoids initiating action, the evolving threat environment is forcing a new debate. In his words, a carefully targeted pre-emptive strike—particularly in cyberspace—could now be considered a legitimate “defensive action,” even if it lies well outside NATO’s historical comfort zone.

He acknowledged that adopting such a strategy requires navigating complex legal and jurisdictional questions, but he emphasized that NATO must consider becoming “more aggressive compared with the aggressivity of our counterpart.”

Earlier this year, NATO launched **Operation Baltic Sentry**, dramatically increasing patrol aircraft, warships, and drone surveillance across the region. While Russia was not explicitly named, Secretary General Mark Rutte made clear the operation’s focus: countering threats from Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet,” vessels often used to evade sanctions and conceal Russian operations.

Dragone praised the stepped-up monitoring as a positive and necessary measure to harden Europe’s defenses. But with the war in Ukraine nearing the end of its fourth year and Russian hybrid attacks expanding in scope, NATO leaders are warning that deterrence may soon require more than observation and reaction.

In short, the era of passive NATO responses to Russian provocations may be ending. The alliance is now publicly preparing for the possibility of pre-emptive defensive action—an unprecedented shift reflecting the seriousness of Moscow’s ongoing hybrid aggression.