Putin's Mediterranean 'drone attack plot': US spies 'warn Russia is planning strikes on Italy, Spain and France with UAVs hidden on merchant ships'

Vladimir Putin is plotting strikes on Mediterranean countries, according to a new report citing US intelligence.

Drone attacks are possible on Spain, France or Italy from UAVs on merchant ships out at sea, a report by El Mundo revealed.

According to the Spanish newspaper, US agencies produced a detailed report warning of a possible Russian operation against the three tourist hotspots.

All these nations- like Britain - supply military assistance to Ukraine in the war.

The newspaper does not name US officials behind the claims, but a defence-connected source in Nato  state Lithuania said: 'They will use drones launched from the sea and hidden in cargo containers. It is not that complicated.'

Under the scenario, Putin's Gerbera drones could be launched from merchant ships in international waters possibly 125 to 190 miles offshore.

In Ukrainian Black Sea resort Odesa, Putin's forces have regularly terrorised beachgoers even if the targets are inland.

The Gerber's payload is enough to cause fires, damage exposed equipment or temporarily close a port or airport.

Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov sailing through the channel

Belarus' servicemen work on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

US agencies produced a detailed report warning of a possible Russian operation against the three tourist hotspots (File pic showing a beach in Mallorca)

No specific targets were named. The 'potential impact could be not only material, but also political and economic'.

The report comes amid Western intelligence warnings that Russia could stage limited attacks on Nato states in months not years.

Until now, the threat has been perceived mainly in Northern Europe, with drones already violating the airspace of Nato states Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Latvia as well as pro-Western Moldova.

Germany has been a victim of a Russian drone operation in Leipzig.

Sources say European states were warned of the Russian threat including to the Mediterranean after CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow one month ago when he spoke to Putin's spymasters.

President Emmanuel Macron is known to have convened his Defence Council on September 16, and two days later, he summoned the leaders of all political parties and the candidates for the 2027 presidential election to the Élysée Palace.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also admitted receiving a warning of Russian attacks against countries supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Europe's spy chiefs have warned that Russia may be about to test Nato, with one saying an attack could come in a matter of months. 

Speaking to The Guardian, Michal Koudelka, the head of the Czech Republic's BIS security service, said that a Russian incursion on Nato territory was possible.

'This along with false-flag provocations and an influence campaign could begin to take place in a matter of 'months, not years,' he said.

Meanwhile, Normunds Mežviets, the director general of the VDD, Latvia's state security service, said that although there were clear signs of Moscow ramping up interference in Europe, the agency does not 'see indications of an imminent attack'.

Russia could stage limited attacks on NATO states in months not years, intelligence officials have said (Pictured: Vladimir Putin)

A brutal strike on Ukraine's city of Zaporizhzhia

He added: 'It's still an open question if they have direct and concrete plans or if it's just within the context of their overall attempts to spread fear and uncertainty in western society.'

Mr Mežviets said it was ultimately a positive development that Western Europe had woken up to the threat posed by Russia. 

'Before 2022, we constantly warned our western European partners about the threat from Russia, but most of the time our voices were not listened to. In 2022, the approach of our partners changed. They said it turns out the Balts and the Poles had been right,' he said. 

Western officials have argued that Moscow's targeting of European states has increased in recent months as the front line in Ukraine has become largely static.

Thomas Nilsson, the head of Sweden's military intelligence and security service, told The Guardian: 'I haven't seen any signs that there is a serious consideration in Moscow about real negotiations.'

 'My assessment is that they are still thinking that they could achieve their strategic objectives, so they are just playing negotiation theatre,' he added.

The three spy bosses all agreed that Russia's shadow war is likely to intensify in the coming months.