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Europe Warns of Escalating Russian Sabotage
Confirmed
In Short: European officials are warning of escalating Russian sabotage and cyberattacks across Europe, aimed at undermining support for Ukraine, according to statements made on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week.
European officials are warning of escalating Russian sabotage and cyberattacks across Europe, aimed at undermining support for Ukraine, according to statements made on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week.
Speaking to Reuters, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, 'Europe faces a fast proliferation of sabotage attacks and airspace violations.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, quoted as Sikorski by Reuters, cited arson, explosions, and drone incursions as examples of Russia's hybrid tactics, adding, 'They're not just threats; they're actual attacks.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told Reuters that Bucharest had seen more than 100 incursions by drones or drone fragments as Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Danube and Black Sea.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna dismissed alarmist predictions of an imminent Russian assault on NATO, arguing that Moscow lacks the capabilities for such an operation while its forces remain heavily engaged in Ukraine.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said allied intelligence pointed to a risk that Russia could seek to broaden pressure on NATO countries through attacks on critical infrastructure and other forms of hybrid activity.
The ministers emphasized the importance of unity, deterrence, and continued support for Ukraine, particularly ahead of winter, when Russia is expected to intensify attacks on energy infrastructure.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport and announced new sanctions, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the termination of the lease for the Russian House in Berlin.
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned last month's drone attack on Leipzig airport and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning drone and missile strikes against Poland and other countries on NATO's eastern flank.
Macron warned, 'In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified.
What this adds
The UK is also facing rising threats from Russia, including sabotage and cyberattacks, according to officials confirmed by The i Paper.
European media are urging stronger action against Russia’s hybrid warfare while warning against escalation.
What's confirmed
- Sept 23 - Russia is intensifying sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid attacks across Europe to undermine support for Ukraine, European ministers said, while dismissing concerns that Moscow is capable of launching a direct assault on NATO.
- Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week, officials from countries on NATO's eastern flank said Moscow was increasingly using drone incursions, cyberattacks, sabotage and other covert operations to sow fear, test Western resolve and weaken backing for Kyiv.
- "Europe faces a fast proliferation of sabotage attacks and airspace violations," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters.
- "They're not just threats; they're actual attacks," Sikorski told Reuters, citing arson, explosions, drone incursions and what Warsaw says was a deliberate cruise missile violation of its territory.
- The Polish Army Operational Command said on Wednesday a Russian military Mi-8 helicopter made a brief incursion into its airspace from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
- Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told Reuters Bucharest had seen more than 100 incursions by drones or drone fragments onto its territory as Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Danube and Black Sea.
- Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Reuters alarmist predictions of an imminent Russian assault on the alliance were misplaced.
- "We don’t see that Russia is able and even preparing for some kind of active military aggression against NATO or the European countries," he said, arguing Moscow lacked the capabilities for such an operation while its forces remained heavily engaged in Ukraine.
- "The main message is: Don't let Putin play with the fear of escalation," he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said allied intelligence pointed to a risk that Russia could seek to broaden pressure on NATO countries through attacks on critical infrastructure and other forms of hybrid activity.
- "There are some considerations on the Russian side to escalate horizontally, so to say, or geographically," Budrys told Reuters.
- The ministers said the best way to counter such tactics was through unity, deterrence and continued support for Ukraine, particularly ahead of winter, when Russia is expected to intensify attacks on energy infrastructure.
What's still developing
- Western officials told The i Paper there was a “very clear” appetite from Russia to carry out sub-threshold or hybrid operations against Nato – attacks designed to disrupt or divide, but fall below the threshold for all-out war.
- “There is evidence that Moscow is stepping up its campaign of sub-threshold attacks, which are designed to deter and disrupt European support to Ukraine,” they said.
- Commentators call for increased defence and support for Ukraine, noting that sabotage, disinformation and other low-level attacks may form part of a broader Russian campaign against Europe.
- Spain and Greece should hand over their Patriot missile defence ammunition to Ukraine so that the invaded country can better protect itself against Russian attacks.” “This is a moderate signal to Putin, a cautious one even, since Berlin has refrained from involving Nato.
- And if the Russian bully still does not cease his provocations, Nato could then activate Article 5, the collective defence clause – at which point war in Europe would not be far off.