It's 2026. If you flip on the news or scroll through your feed, you'll see a lot of talk about "global conflict" and "the West versus the East." But when you actually sit down and ask who is at war with Russia, the answer is surprisingly specific—and way more complicated than just a list of countries on a map.
Honestly, if you're looking for a formal declaration of war signed by multiple world leaders, you won't find it.
Right now, the only country officially, physically, and legally at war with Russia is Ukraine. That’s the big one. Since the full-scale invasion back in February 2022, these two have been locked in a brutal, high-intensity conflict that has redefined modern warfare. But here’s the thing: while Ukraine is the one doing the actual shooting on the front lines, they aren't exactly standing alone. You've probably heard the term "proxy war" thrown around. It's a bit of a cliché, but it's not entirely wrong either.
The Reality of the Ukraine-Russia Front Line
As of early 2026, the situation on the ground is a grueling slog. According to recent data from the Institute for the Study of War, Russia currently occupies about 19-20% of Ukrainian territory. We're talking about areas roughly the size of Pennsylvania. It’s a massive amount of land, and the cost of holding it has been staggering. Some estimates, like those recently mentioned by CIA Director William Burns, put Russian casualties at over 1.1 million killed or injured since the start of the "special military operation."
Ukraine is fighting for its life.
They’ve managed to hold onto a tiny foothold in Russia’s own Kursk and Belgorod regions—about 4 square miles as of this month—just to keep Moscow on its toes. But the primary war is happening in places like the Donbas and Zaporizhzhia. It’s a war of drones, trenches, and constant artillery.
Is NATO At War With Russia?
This is where things get sticky. If you ask the Kremlin, they’ll tell you they’re fighting the "collective West." Russian Foreign Ministry officials have gone on record saying that any Western troops or military facilities on Ukrainian soil are "legitimate combat targets."
But is NATO actually at war?
Technically, no. NATO has been very careful to avoid direct "boots on the ground" involvement. They don't want World War III. You won't see American or German fighter jets flying sorties over Moscow. However, the level of support is unprecedented. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of 57 countries (including all 32 NATO members), has been the backbone of Ukraine’s resistance.
We’re talking about:
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- The United States: Providing roughly 20% of Ukraine's military equipment, including the most lethal high-tech systems.
- The European Union: Just this month, the EU proposed a massive $104 billion loan for 2026-2027, with two-thirds of that earmarked specifically for weapons and military gear.
- The "Coalition of the Willing": Countries like France and the UK have been leading talks about sending troops after a peace deal is reached to act as a security guarantee. Russia, predictably, hates this idea.
So, while NATO isn't "at war" in the sense of a formal declaration, they are the ones keeping the lights on and the guns loaded in Kyiv.
The Hybrid War: Sabotage and Cyber Attacks
If we move away from the literal explosions and look at the "gray zone," the list of who is at war with Russia expands significantly.
Experts at places like GLOBSEC and RUSI have been sounding the alarm about Russia's "hybrid warfare" in 2026. This isn't about tanks; it's about making life miserable for European democracies. We've seen a massive spike in:
- Sabotage: Weird fires at warehouses in Poland, GPS jamming in the Baltic Sea, and "unexplained" damage to undersea cables.
- Information Warfare: Massive AI-generated disinformation campaigns aimed at upcoming elections in Hungary, Germany, and the U.S. mid-terms.
- Coercion: Using energy and heating systems as leverage during the freezing winter months.
In this sense, many European nations feel like they are in a state of conflict with Russia, even if their soldiers aren't in the trenches. Countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania view the situation as an existential threat. They are preparing for a potential direct confrontation within the next three to five years.
Who Is Helping Russia?
War isn't a one-sided affair. Russia has its own "coalition," though it looks a lot different than Ukraine's.
North Korea has become a massive player. They aren't just sending shells anymore; they've sent personnel and missiles to help bolster Russian lines. Iran is another key ally, providing the "Shahed" drones that have been terrorizing Ukrainian cities. In exchange, Russia is reportedly sending attack helicopters and armored vehicles to Tehran to help them deal with internal unrest.
Then there’s Belarus. While they haven't sent their own army across the border yet, they’ve allowed Russia to use their territory as a giant military base and launchpad.
What This Means for You
The world feels smaller when the "big powers" are clashing. Even if you live thousands of miles away from the Donbas, you’ve likely felt the ripples. Energy prices, inflation, and even the "vibes" of international travel have all been warped by this conflict.
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If you’re trying to make sense of it all, here are some actionable ways to stay informed and prepared:
- Diversify Your News: Don't just stick to one outlet. Compare reporting from the Institute for the Study of War (which is great for technical battlefield updates) with European sources like Al Jazeera or BBC to get a sense of the political landscape.
- Watch the "Gray Zone": Keep an eye on news regarding cyberattacks or infrastructure "accidents" in your own country. This is where the war often touches the rest of the world.
- Understand the Stakes: The consensus among experts is that 2026 is a "window of vulnerability." Russia is trying to outlast Western patience. Whether they succeed or fail depends heavily on the continued flow of aid and the political stability of the EU and the US.
The "war with Russia" isn't a single event—it's a multi-layered struggle involving dozens of nations in different capacities. Whether it's through bullets in Ukraine or bits and bytes in a server farm in London, the conflict is very real, very active, and very much shaping the world we're living in right now.
To get a clearer picture of how this impacts global markets, you can look into the latest EU defense spending reports or follow the updates on the Ukraine Support Loan through the European Commission's official portals.