Thus, Russia may pose a serious threat to NATO sooner than many European officials expect, warns ISW.

"Russia has entered "phase zero" to create the informational and psychological preconditions for a possible war preparation campaign against NATO in the future," analysts believe.

They point, for example, to statements on Monday by Martin Jaeger, head of Germany's foreign intelligence service (BND), that the number of Russian attacks on Europe has reached a"new level of confrontation."

Jaeger pointed out that Russia is trying to undermine NATO, destabilize European democracies, divide societies, and intimidate citizens.

The BND chief emphasized that Europe must prepare for further escalation from Russia and that it must consider the possibility that Russia will launch an attack on NATO earlier than 2029.