Key facts
- European governments are increasing preparations for potential Russian hybrid attacks, including drone and cyber assaults.
- Officials warn that Russia may increasingly use drones, missiles, sabotage, and cyberattacks to test NATO countries.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of the risk of Russian projectiles entering NATO territory and causing destruction.
- French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the government to develop additional protections for critical infrastructure.
- NATO has published baseline resilience requirements for member states to ensure essential services can function during crises.
European governments are stepping up preparations for possible Russian hybrid attacks as officials across the continent warn that Moscow could increasingly use drones, missiles, sabotage, and cyberattacks to test NATO countries and pressure them over their support for Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Sept. 17 that intelligence assessments indicated Russia could stage drone or missile attacks against countries supporting Ukraine in the coming months and attempt to portray them as accidental. "There is a real risk that drones or other types of projectiles will enter the territory of one or several countries on the eastern flank and even cause destruction," Tusk told parliament, arguing that such incidents could be intended to undermine NATO members' willingness to respond collectively.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said a day later that Lithuania had access to the same intelligence as Poland and other allies. He said officials had discussed the possibility of a Russian false-flag operation and described the public warnings as part of an effort to deter Moscow from attempting such a provocation.
French President Emmanuel Macron also warned on Sept. 18 that the Russian hybrid threat against France and other European countries had intensified. After meeting political leaders at the Elysee Palace, Macron ordered the government to develop additional protections for critical infrastructure and sensitive defense-industry sites against drone and cyberattacks.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb separately urged Finns to be mentally prepared for possible sabotage and drone incidents, while cautioning against overreacting and urging the public to remain calm.