Russia-linked hybrid attacks test Europe’s response

European governments are struggling to find effective responses to alleged Russia-linked hybrid attacks, as intelligence officials warn of sabotage risks and analysts say traditional diplomatic tools have had limited deterrent effect.

Denmark's intelligence agency warned on Thursday that Russia is actively preparing sabotage operations against its defence industry.

Celine Berthon, head of France's domestic intelligence agency DGSI, told a business forum last week that the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport in August was a signal that French companies could also be targeted.

Berlin blamed Moscow on Tuesday for the Leipzig airport incident. The European Union said it bore the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism. Russia denies involvement.

EU countries have summoned Russian envoys and are discussing fresh sanctions. Analysts cited by AFP said measures such as exposing spies and diplomatic reprisals have done little to deter Moscow so far.

Andrei Soldatov, a London-based expert on Russian security services, said Europe needed improved intelligence-sharing and more detailed intelligence work. He said older approaches to deterrence would not be effective in what he called a long hybrid war.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv's European allies say they have been targeted by hybrid attacks linked to Moscow, including drone flights near sensitive sites, airspace violations, cyberattacks and suspected assassination plots.

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said Europe would need a more robust response but warned that escalation in hybrid warfare was largely undefined, increasing the risk of mass-casualty events.