NATO deputy commander warns Putin grows more reckless as Ukraine war continues

NATO's deputy commander in Europe, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, warned Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is becoming "increasingly cavalier, dangerous and risk accepting" as the war in Ukraine drags on, according to The Associated Press. Stringer, speaking at a security conference in Estonia, said NATO members must be careful in their response to Russia's covert attacks, including sabotage and espionage, because Putin wants to provoke an "overreaction." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron have warned Russia might target NATO nations with deliberate drone or missile strikes, while other European officials urge calm. The warning comes amid a rise in Russian covert incidents, from 59 in March 2025 to over 210, including arson and cyberattacks. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the escalation aims to break Western support for Ukraine, though a conventional attack on NATO remains "improbable" due to the alliance's deterrent and Russia's losses in Ukraine.