Belarusian Bridgehead Plays A Key Role: Russian Plan To Attack NATO Revealed

• 1.02.2026, 22:55

Phase Zero actions are currently being practiced.

Moscow has effectively absorbed Belarus and is using it for dangerous provocations against NATO. The violation of Polish airspace is part of the "zero phase" of preparations for war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Russia is using Belarus as a tool of pressure

The ISW analysts concluded that Russia has de facto annexed Belarus and is using its territory to realize its own military and political goals. In particular, Moscow uses Belarus to intrude into the airspace of NATO member states.

According to ISW, on the night of January 30-31, Belarusian balloons illegally entered Polish airspace for the second time in 72 hours.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that military radars detected objects that crossed the border from Belarus. According to a preliminary assessment, the objects in question were aerostats.

In response, the Polish authorities temporarily restricted airspace over the Podlaskie Voivodeship, which borders Belarus.

"Zero Phase" of preparations for war

The ISW notes that such actions are part of the so-called "zero phase" - the stage of creating information and psychological conditions for a possible future war between Russia and NATO.

Analysts believe that Moscow is testing the Alliance's reaction, using Belarus as a springboard for provocations and hybrid operations against Western states.