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NATO leaders warn Russia may launch hybrid attacks on member states within months
France orders protection of critical sites as Macron warns of intensified Russian hybrid attacks
European leaders are warning of an escalating Russian hybrid warfare campaign targeting NATO members, with recent incidents and intelligence assessments fueling concerns of further provocations beyond Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday that Russia could launch drone or missile strikes into NATO countries supporting Ukraine “in the next few months,” according to POLITICO . The Czech security service chief similarly warned of a “limited incursion, false-flag provocations, or a massive influence campaign” within months. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoed the assessment, stating that intelligence indicated a “real risk” of hybrid activities, including sabotage, and urged vigilance without panic .
Recent incidents have heightened tensions. Germany formally attributed an August 4 explosive drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport to Russia’s GRU, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stating, “We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare” . On September 13, a Russian drone struck near Yahodyn, a key Ukrainian-Polish border crossing, shortly after a diplomatic train carrying former leaders had departed. Lithuania also downed a Russian drone that entered its airspace from Belarus, marking the first such interception since the war began .
Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautioned against overreaction, arguing that Russia aims to destabilize Europe by spreading fear. “Every time we overreact to a hybrid attack, they have actually won the battle,” he told POLITICO . Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he warned Moscow that NATO would respond offensively to any attack, stating, “Be careful, because we have more combat aircraft than you do” . The Kremlin denied any threat to Europe, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserting that Russia “does not threaten anyone” .
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