From BBC News · · 1m 50s
Russia's hybrid attacks on Europe are intensifying
French President Macron warns of escalating Russian sabotage, cyberattacks, and drone strikes targeting European infrastructure and NATO resolve.
In brief
French President Macron warns of escalating Russian sabotage, cyberattacks, and drone strikes targeting European infrastructure and NATO resolve. Russia is using non-military hybrid attacks like cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone strikes to intimidate Europe and test NATO's commitment to Ukraine, with France and other…
Quick answers
- What are hybrid attacks?
- Hybrid attacks are non-military methods like cyberattacks, sabotage, and misinformation used to destabilize an adversary. Russia often uses proxies but denies involvement despite growing evidence.
- What is the key takeaway from Russia's hybrid attacks on Europe are intensifying?
- Russia is using non-military hybrid attacks like cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone strikes to intimidate Europe and test NATO's commitment to Ukraine, with France and other European nations now taking defensive measures.
Macron warns of intensifying Russian attacks
French President Emmanuel Macron says Russia has escalated hybrid attacks against Europe and France in recent weeks, designed to intimidate and break European support for Ukraine.
“The intent is to intimidate us and break our effort to support Ukraine. The result will be the exact opposite.”
What are hybrid attacks?
Hybrid attacks are non-military methods like cyberattacks, sabotage, and misinformation used to destabilize an adversary. Russia often uses proxies but denies involvement despite growing evidence.
Recent Russian attacks across Europe
A Russian drone hit Leipzig airport in Germany last month. Poland's Prime Minister warned of planned drone and missile strikes. A Russian drone also struck a passenger train near the Ukraine-Poland border.
Suspicious fires at defence facilities
Multiple defence facilities from Italy to Estonia have experienced suspicious fires. Some affected countries blame Russia for the incidents.
Poland warns of accidental strike strategy
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Russia plans drone and missile strikes on NATO countries, then claim they were accidental to split the alliance and avoid triggering Article 5.
Russia threatens UK military support
Russia warned the UK that British military facilities in Ukraine used to strike Russian territory are legitimate targets. Moscow reserved the right to take counter-measures against UK weapons supplies to Kyiv.
France calls G7 meeting on energy security
Macron announced France will convene a G7 meeting to discuss energy security and consider releasing strategic reserves. He also tasked the government with protecting sensitive defence and technology sites from drone and cyberattacks.
The key point
Russia is using non-military hybrid attacks like cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone strikes to intimidate Europe and test NATO's commitment to Ukraine, with France and other European nations now taking defensive measures.
