U.S. intelligence agencies assess that intense sabotage and covert operations targeting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states are being carried out under the direct orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Citing European officials briefed on intelligence, the newspaper reported this in an article on the 20th.

U.S. intelligence agencies assess that one of the initial signals of the sabotage operations ordered by President Putin was a drone attack that took place at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport last August, according to these officials.

The officials explained that the backdrop to such orders from President Putin is the perception that Ukraine will not make as many concessions as Moscow desires.

They added that Moscow has begun to grow frustrated over the stalemate between Russian and Ukrainian forces on the front lines and the lack of progress in U.S.-involved peace negotiations.

Thomas Graham, who oversaw Russia policy at the White House National Security Council (NSC) during the administration of President George W. Bush, told the newspaper, "The Kremlin is disappointed that negotiations with the U.S. have not led to the early normalization of bilateral relations as initially expected."

This situation has led to an intensification of Russian sabotage and covert operations targeting NATO members.

In August, an explosives-laden drone attack was attempted at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and German authorities concluded that Russian military intelligence operatives piloted the drones.

Leipzig/Halle Airport serves as a crucial hub for the transport of military supplies sent by the German military and NATO allies to Ukraine.

It is also used as a base airport for the Ukrainian cargo airline Antonov Airlines.

According to the Wall Street Journal, German authorities determined that one of at least three drones involved in the attack struck a cargo plane belonging to Antonov Airlines, though no explosion occurred.

A second drone struck a different aircraft rather than an Antonov cargo plane, and the remaining drone was discovered near the airport perimeter.

German investigative authorities concluded that a major catastrophe would have occurred if the explosions had detonated as intended.

Aides to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Wall Street Journal that had the Leipzig/Halle Airport attack caused numerous casualties, they would have considered invoking Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which mandates collective defense for member states.

Article 5 of the NATO treaty outlines the principle of collective defense, stipulating that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all and requiring assistance, including the use of armed force.

Article 5 has been invoked only once in history, following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Even after the drone attack at the German airport, hybrid attacks suspected of being orchestrated by Russia have been on the rise across Europe.

Hybrid operations refer collectively to non-military means aimed at pressuring hostile nations or creating instability through cyberattacks, sabotage, and the dissemination of disinformation.

In Poland and Estonia, drone manufacturers were targeted in arson attacks last August, and an arson attempt was also made against a factory producing Ukrainian drones in Slovakia.

In Poland, Lithuania, and Bulgaria, communication facilities for SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, were targeted in arson attacks.

Starlink is utilized as a core communication tool in Ukraine's military operations.

European leaders have publicly expressed concern over these hybrid attacks.

Chancellor Merz denounced earlier this month that "Russia is waging a war not only against Ukraine, but against Europe as well."

Meanwhile, Russia has completely denied allegations of involvement in these sabotage operations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously warned regarding the escalation of attacks targeting NATO member states that "a war between two countries can instantly transform into a much broader and more dangerous regional conflict."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)