Europe Warns of Russia’s Expanding Hybrid War

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said rising Russian hybrid attacks are putting lives at risk across Europe.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has accused Russia of putting lives at risk across Europe through an increase in hybrid attacks, including airspace violations and suspected sabotage. The warning follows reports of Russian drones entering Moldovan airspace and concerns over cyberattacks and drone incidents elsewhere in Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has similarly warned that Russia is expanding pressure beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.

Hybrid warfare combines conventional military pressure with activities that remain below the threshold of open war. These can include cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, infrastructure disruption and airspace violations. European governments are increasingly concerned that Russia is testing their ability to respond collectively while avoiding actions that would automatically trigger a direct NATO-Russia confrontation.

Germany’s intelligence chief has separately warned that the country faces a heightened risk of violent conflict with Russia, although a full-scale Russian attack on NATO remains considered unlikely. The concern is instead that low-level confrontations could gradually become more dangerous, particularly around the Baltic region. Europe is therefore reassessing its internal security architecture, including intelligence powers, cyber defences and protection of critical infrastructure. The shift is significant because European governments previously treated hybrid attacks largely as separate security incidents; they are now increasingly viewing them as components of a broader strategic campaign.