# Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt Air Traffic Across Europe

> Russia-linked hoax bomb threats force 27 European flights to land or be escorted by jets.
- Title: Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt Air Traffic Across Europe | Shortify
- Summary: Russia-linked hoax bomb threats force 27 European flights to land or be escorted by jets.
- Keywords: russia, europe, hoax bomb threats, air traffic disruption, hybrid warfare, nato, cyber attacks, supermarket refrigeration systems, paraguayan president, santiago peña, impeachment, ueno bank
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/11/05/hoax-bomb-threats-europe-airlines-hybrid-warfare-russia
- Author: Alexandra Sharp
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: russia, europe, hoax bomb threats, air traffic disruption, hybrid warfare, nato, cyber attacks, supermarket refrigeration systems, paraguayan president, santiago peña, impeachment, ueno bank
## Hybrid Warfare Alert
Hoax bomb threats targeted at least 27 flights across Europe on Thursday, forcing unplanned landings or fighter jet escorts.
## Russia Suspected
European officials and aviation experts suspect russia may be partly responsible for the air traffic disruptions.
## Hybrid Warfare Tactics
Moscow has increased hybrid warfare tactics in ukraine and european allies with drone strikes and infrastructure sabotage.
## Previous Attacks
Russia previously attempted to sabotage germany’s leipzig/halle airport in august and targeted denmark, estonia, lithuania, poland, and romania.
## Security Expert View
Ken mccallum, uk internal security head, called russia the aggressor no. 1 in hybrid warfare threats.

> russia remains aggressor no. 1
## Gray Zone Challenges
Identifying state sponsors of gray-zone acts is difficult because these operations are cheap, easy to deny, and unlikely to trigger armed retaliation.

> identifying state sponsors of gray-zone acts is extremely difficult, by design
## Affected Countries
Flights impacted included those from or to austria, belgium, bulgaria, the czech republic, denmark, finland, france, greece, ireland, italy, poland, portugal, romania, serbia, spain, and the united kingdom.
## Cyber Attacks on Supermarkets
Hackers recently targeted supermarket refrigeration systems in france and belgium, causing food spoilage and fires.
## Agriculture Commissioner Statement
Christophe hansen, eu agriculture commissioner, called the cyber attacks a deliberate attempt to disrupt food supply chains.

> this was a "deliberate attempt to disrupt our food supply chain and undermine consumers’ confidence in it"
## No Link Found
Investigators have not established a connection between the cyber attacks and the airplane bomb threats.
## Security Concerns
European authorities worry about other potential vulnerabilities in the continent’s security systems.
## Key takeaway

Russia is suspected of orchestrating hoax bomb threats targeting 27 European flights on November 5, 2026, causing widespread air traffic disruptions.