Russia escalates hybrid attacks on Europe, report says
Thursday, 17 September 2026 18:10
Russia’s hybrid attacks on European countries have become more aggressive and reckless, with recent operations focusing on defense and logistics targets linked to support for Ukraine, Meduza reported citing a Bloomberg investigation.
European officials cited in the investigation said it is only a matter of time before the attacks cause civilian casualties. Russia was previously accused of interfering in elections and weaponizing migrants trying to reach Europe, but is now suspected of sabotage, arson, attacks on critical infrastructure, cyberattacks and airspace violations.
A NATO official told Bloomberg that over the past two months Russia has focused on defense-industrial and logistics targets directly tied to support for Ukraine. The official said the campaign has grown more aggressive and carries higher risks, while pursuing strategic goals rather than direct physical harm.
Emily Ferris, an associate fellow at the UK’s Royal United Services Institute, said Russia is probing NATO’s vulnerabilities.
European officials are confident Moscow is behind the operations, which are structured to give Russian authorities plausible deniability. The actual perpetrators are typically hired through intermediaries for money, while many incidents, especially cyberattacks and hacks, go publicly unreported.
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