NATO on alert as Ukraine warns Vladimir Putin could capture key countries in just one week

A Ukrainian official warned of the imminent threat to the Baltics. (Image: Getty)

A top Ukrainian official has warned of the imminent threat Russia poses to the Baltics, stressing that Vladimir Putin's forces could capture the region "in seven days".

Major-General Vadym Skibitsky, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence directorate (GUR), said countries bordering Ukraine must help Ukraine by increasing defence production, otherwise the conflict could escalate to other countries.

He also warned that NATO's military presence in Ukraine's neighbours would not deter Russia from invading. He told The Economist: "The Russians will take the Baltics in seven days. NATO's reaction time is ten days."

Skibitsky maintained that Ukraine must negotiate with Russia to end the war, despite Volodymyr Zelensky publicly taking the opposite stance, saying there is no point in conducting peace talks.

In terms of Russia's current war plan, he warned that they would soon take control of the Ukrainian city Chasiv Yar. He explained: "Not today or tomorrow, of course, but all depending on our reserves and supplies."

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The general warned that Chasiv Yar could soon be captured by the Russians. (Image: Getty)

Skibitsky argued Russia will then set its sights on the Kharkiv and Sumy regions of northeastern Ukraine, as they work towards a larger offensive at the end of May or "beginning of June".

This comes just days after NATO countries said they are deeply concerned by a campaign of hybrid activities on the military alliance’s soil they attribute to Russia, and which they say constitutes a threat to their security.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday in a message posted on the social media platform X that actions including disinformation, sabotage, acts of violence and cyber and electronic interference "will not deter us from supporting Ukraine."

Earlier this year, a UK-based think tank said Russia was rebuilding its capacity to destabilise European countries, posing a strategic threat to NATO as its members focus on the war in Ukraine.

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The North Atlantic Council, the principal political decision-making body within NATO, said: "NATO Allies are deeply concerned about recent malign activities on Allied territory, including those resulting in the investigation and charging of multiple individuals in connection with hostile state activity affecting Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the United Kingdom."

NATO allies condemned Russia’s behaviour and called on the country "to uphold its international obligations."

The statement read: "These incidents are part of an intensifying campaign of activities which Russia continues to carry out across the Euro-Atlantic area, including on Alliance territory and through proxies."