Poland's Deputy Defence Minister, Cezary Tomczyk, has said the country is actively preparing for the possibility of war with Russia, as tensions between Moscow and NATO show signs of escalating amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The remarks come alongside a Russian warning of "consequences" against Britain, fuelling concern that Moscow could seek to test NATO's resolve directly rather than confining aggression to Ukraine.

Analysts, including former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman, have raised fears that Vladimir Putin could extend hybrid operations beyond the battlefield into European capitals, potentially including violations of Baltic airspace and threats aimed at the UK prime minister's office. Poland, which borders both Ukraine and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, is regarded as being on the front line of any wider confrontation, with officials stressing the need for stronger NATO unity and intelligence-sharing to deter further Russian aggression.