European Union nations (Wikipedia)
Russia’s military operation into Ukraine has had fall-out in other European countries, like Romania:
August 21, 2026
Romania, a NATO ally buttressing the bloc’s southeastern European flank and host to around 1,000 American troops, has become the site of a sharp increase in Russian drone incursions and air-policing activity to date, data from the country’s Defense Ministry shared with ABC News indicates. …
As of Aug. 17, four Russian drones had been shot down in Romanian airspace, the ministry said. Romanian airspace had been violated by Russian drones at least 23 times so far this year — already more than the 18 incidents recorded between 2022 and the end of 2025. …
Thus far, there is nothing to suggest that Moscow intended to violate Romanian airspace, the ministry in Bucharest said. All drone fragments so far recovered and analyzed were of Russian origin, it added.
“Based on the data and evidence we have at this time, we cannot conclude that the increased number of drone incidents on our territory is the result of a deliberate attempt to target specific locations within our territory,” the ministry told ABC News in a statement. https://abcnews.com/International/russia-drone-incursions-nato-airspace-jump-exponentially-2026/story?id=135771388
Is Russia about to attack NATO?
Some think so:
Western intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned that Russia may be preparing a limited hybrid operation targeting NATO’s eastern flank, potentially involving the Baltic states or Poland. …
Latvian intelligence this week said it had detected indications that Russia was preparing military provocations against the Baltic states or Poland, while a senior political source from another NATO member said President Vladimir Putin could be seeking to test the alliance’s resolve by targeting some of its smallest members.07/26 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/2-nato-countries-warn-russia-preparing-for-attack-escalation/ar-AA26Bul8
US intelligence assessments indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin could try to test NATO’s resolve by launching a limited attack on an allied country within the next few years, according to three sources familiar with those reports. https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/07/politics/us-intelligence-russia-putin-nato-attack
While the alliance’s leaders claim to be prepared for such an attack, there are growing indications that Russia could get away with it without facing consequences.
Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg warned in May that Russia might attack a European nato member for two reasons:
- “If the signs multiply that the U.S., due to Trump’s personality and nato’s current instability, would not come to the aid of an attacked European nation, even though the nato collective defense clause, Article 5, would be triggered.
- “The Europeans are not yet capable of effectively defending themselves against a Russian attack—which, according to all truly leading military figures, they currently are not.”
This gives Russian President Vladimir Putin a clear window of opportunity to act. 08/20/26 https://www.thetrumpet.com/35437-will-russia-soon-attack-nato
PCG believes that Russia will end up with several NATO nations that are part of the European Union:
August 20, 2026
In recent months, the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been increasingly targeted by Russian hybrid attacks. …
In his booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia,’ Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry points to a passage in Ezekiel 38 that indicates Putin “will probably conquer more nations of the former Soviet Union.”
Verse 2 reads: “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” Mr. Flurry writes:
The King James Version uses the adjective “chief.” But the correct rendering (used by the Moffatt, New King James Version and others) uses the word not as an adjective, but as a proper noun: Rosh. Thus, that verse should read, “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”
Rosh was the ancient name of Russia, once called Rus. Many encyclopedias and commentaries (such as the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary) recognize this. So who is this “prince” of Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk? The use of all three names shows that this is an individual ruler of all the peoples of Russia, from the west to the east. The reference to the cities of Moscow and Tobolsk helps us see how vast Russian territory is in these latter days.
This giant swath of land indicates the prince will probably conquer more nations of the former Soviet Union.
With all the firepower Europe and the U.S. have, one would think they could easily prevent this from happening. But as Mr. Flurry explained in “Germany’s Secret Deal With Russia—Exposed,” Russia’s current military conquests have Germany’s approval. Why?
In 2008, he wrote: “I believe that Germany’s leaders may have already agreed to a deal with Russia, a modern Hitler-Stalin pact where Germany and Russia divide countries and assets between themselves. This agreement would allow each to turn its sights on other targets.” …
Are we about to see Germany and Russia divide Europe as they did in the early stages of World War ii? https://www.thetrumpet.com/35437-will-russia-soon-attack-nato
To answer that last question: No.
Ezekiel 38:8 says it takes place in the latter years, when Israel is unprotected and has lots of silver and gold (vs. 10-13)–Israel has not significant quantities of those metals now and most certainly has a lot of military protection.
The biblical reality is that Ezekiel 38 will not be fulfilled for over 1,000 years from now (see Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?), so, no Vladmir Putin, who PCG teaches is likely the Prince of Rosh, is not about to fulfill Ezekiel 38. Furthermore, Ezekiel 38 does NOT teach that nations of the former eastern block are to be attacked by Russia.
The late Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
Ezekiel 38 … this invasion will not come until after the Second Coming of Christ (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States. WCG booklet)
Now, I agree with PCG that Russia will make a deal with Germany. But it is not for giving up European Union nations to divide Europe. It will be to eliminate the USA and its British descended allies and divide them up which is consistent with biblical prophecies such as Daniel 11:39 which says that the European King of the North will conquer the power with the strongest military and divide up the land for gain.
That is not a prophecy related to Russia acquiring parts of eastern Europe.
Furthermore, the old Radio Church of God taught:
The German people are now asking themselves: “Can we rely on the Americans and British?” … These questions lead to the logical conclusion that maybe the only people the Germans can rely on themselves. They are now thinking: “Perhaps we can strike a better bargain with the Russians ourselves.” …
Once a German-dominated Europe is fully established, Germany will be ready to negotiate and bargain with Russia- and behind the backs of the Western Allies if necessary. …
Most Americans and Britons are not aware of what Germany and Europe are planning against them. This is partly due to the cunning of German. politics. …
World events are moving swiftly toward the climax when Great Britain and the United. States will be attacked, conquered and DESTROYED! (Boraker R. Are the Germans Secretly Dealing with Moscow? Plain Truth, May 1962, pp. 45-47)
The Bible teaches that the European Beast power will astonish the world with its military accomplishments (Revelation 13:3-4).
This will include eliminating the USA, its British descended allies, as well as what will be a confederation of Islamic nations in the Middle East and North Africa according to Daniel 11:39-43.
What about Russia?
It and its allies are later mentioned as troubling the European King of the North:
44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel 11:40,44-45).
The Bible shows that Russia will lead a future massive Eurasian alliance militarily.
But this alliance will be against Europe.
Notice that the Bible tells of a time when the ‘kings of the sunrise/east’ will travel on land and will end up in Armageddon:
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)
Russia is clearly part the “kings of the east.” You really cannot get “east” of Russia and its ‘east-ness’ extends all the way into ‘the west.’
The “kings of the east” will have to somehow cooperate militarily for this to happen. And we are seeing two of the biggest “kings of the east”–Russia with the most land and China with the most people–increase their cooperation.
Now, contrary to the claims of Protestants such as the late Hal Lindsey, Russia is NOT the King of the North. There is NO major power that is north or east of Russia, so geography (as well as other prophetic specifics) rule it out as the King of the North.
There are also prophecies in Jeremiah such as the following which show Europe being defeated by a power led by Russia:
1 The word that the Lord spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
2 “Declare among the nations,
Proclaim, and set up a standard;
Proclaim—do not conceal it—
Say, ‘Babylon is taken, …
3 For out of the north a nation comes up against her,
Which shall make her land desolate,
And no one shall dwell therein.41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:1-3, 41-43).
Russia is the leading power of the north. And we see that the coming European empire is the “daughter of Babylon” and is to be destroyed by a northern (Russian led) force that cooperates with nations in the East.
Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
Now, then in the 17th chapter of Revelation, you find this lady, this daughter of the ancient Babylon described … This is the daughter of the ancient Babylon …
47th … chapter… of Isaiah … {verse 11} Desolation shall come upon thee suddenly when thou shalt not know.
And that desolation and that thing is on this newly revived Europe that is coming up, it’s coming from Russia (Armstrong HW. Russia in Prophecy. Radio broadcast HA234A. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1339588315)
Jeremiah 50:1-3 The word that the (Eternal) spoke against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet. (Now let’s see. I want the first four verses.) (2) Declare ye among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. (3) For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her… Now this is against Babylon. And this is speaking of the … countries finally coming against what-you-would-call Catholic Europe. And Russia is to the north, and they are to the south. “Out of the north there cometh up a nation against her.” (Armstrong HW. United States of EUROPE IS COMING! Sermon: November 27, 1982)
A northern confederation (that appears to be led by Russia and probably includes the far north and far east/Pacific coast portion of Asia) will destroy the European Babylon.
The following other passages in Jeremiah seem also to apply:
8 “Move from the midst of Babylon,
Go out of the land of the Chaldeans;
And be like the rams before the flocks.9 For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon
An assembly of great nations from the north country,
And they shall array themselves against her;
From there she shall be captured.
Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior;
None shall return in vain. (Jeremiah 50:8-9)
Notice also that the Bible shows Babylon tied together with birth pains/pangs to a group from a far country:
1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
2 “Lift up a banner on the high mountain, Raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger–Those who rejoice in My exaltation.” 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, Like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts musters The army for battle. 5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven–The LORD and His weapons of indignation, To destroy the whole land. 6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt, 8 And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames (Isaiah 13:1-8).
Thus, both the accounts in Jeremiah and Isaiah seem related to the same invaders. This is referring to an end time confederation that has a distance to travel–apparently a type of union of powers from the east including Russia, who is also the major power of the far north.
That is when Russia will truly attack Europe.
UPDATE 08/23/26: We just uploaded the following related video:
Will Russia Attack NATO?
Is Russia about to invade NATO? Is the “Special Military Operation” into Ukraine about to creep into Latvia, some of the other Baltic States, or Poland? Is the United States and Europe so weakened by their own military and economic problems that Russia sees this as their best opportunity to take back land from Europe that they feel rightfully belongs under Russian control? How about a conspiracy? Is it possible that Russia and Germany have conspired together to allow Russia to attack Europe’s eastern flank without Germany’s interference, and then later divide the conquered land between them? Or instead, that a deal between the coming King of the North and Russia will lead to the conquering of the United States and its British-descended allies, consistent with Daniel 11:39? Did Daniel prophesy that the European King of the North would be troubled by powers from its north and east in Daniel 11:44-45? Could that be referring to Russia and parts of Asia? Did the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah warn that a Russian-led confederation would conquer the end-time ‘daughter of Babylon’? How about Gog and Magog? Is the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Was Hal Lindsey right that Russia is the prophesied King of the North in Daniel chapter 11? Is Armageddon right around the corner? Do you know the answers to those questions with 100% certainty? Do you really know how Gog and Magog fit into the timeline of Biblical prophecy? Are you sure? God knows. God knows the answers to those questions with 100% certainty. And He wants to reveal those answers to you. Watch this video as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical truth on Russia’s real role in end time prophecy.
Here is a link to our video: Will Russia Attack NATO?
While there likely will be military incursions before that time, biblical prophecies showing that Russia will conquer much of Europe do NOT TAKE PLACE until AFTER the USA and an Islamic empire are conquered first by Europe.
Those who believe that Ezekiel 38 is for this age are in error, not believing what the Bible actually teaches.
Some items of possibly related interest would include the following:
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Are we close to the battle with Gog and Magog? Four related videos are available: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?, Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?, Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code), and Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.