Europe faces escalating hybrid attacks as Russia tests resilience through drones and cyber warfare

A series of drone incursions, cyberattacks, and sabotage across Europe signals a new phase in Russia’s hybrid warfare, blurring the lines between espionage and military aggression amid rising tensions and strained defence budgets.

Without firing a shot, Russian President Vladimir Putin has successfully extended the conflict in Ukraine into the daily lives of millions of Europeans, largely untouched by direct warfare—through a calculated campaign of hybrid warfare. O...

ver the past week, Europe has faced a series of disruptive incidents—including drone incursions, cyberattacks, and alleged sabotage—that underscore a new, insidious front in Russia’s aggression, bringing conflict to Europe’s doorstep with uncertain attribution and complicated responses.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen publicly framed this emerging threat as a new reality, warning that “more violent and frequent hybrid attacks” might be expected. While she refrained from directly naming Russia, European security officials widely suspect Russian involvement or inspiration. A recent spate of drone flyovers at four Danish airports—including Copenhagen Airport, where operations were halted for hours—are considered part of these hybrid attacks. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen suggested these flights were conducted by professional actors, with Russia not ruled out, while domestic security agencies flagged a “high risk” of Russian sabotage. Authorities are even contemplating legislation to allow shooting down drones near essential infrastructure.

These incidents are not isolated. Norway experienced similar drone disruptions at Oslo Airport, causing flight suspensions, though investigations have yet to establish a definitive link between the events or to identify perpetrators. The pattern of attacks—encompassing drone invasions and cyber intrusions—has exposed vulnerabilities across European aviation infrastructure; major hubs like London’s Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels experienced ransomware attacks that paralyzed check-in systems, followed by drone activity in Scandinavia that grounded regional flights. Officials describe these as coordinated hybrid threats designed to test and undermine Europe’s ability to protect critical infrastructure.

In Poland, more than 20 drones entered NATO airspace in early September, prompting a military response that downed the intruders. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency accused Russia of orchestrating these incursions as part of a broader plan to pressure Western allies into reducing military aid to Kyiv. The drones, including cheaper decoys, appeared aimed less at physical damage and more at testing NATO’s readiness and causing fear. The incident raised questions about Moscow’s escalating boldness and potential expansion of aggression. However, some US military officials have speculated whether some violations, such as in Estonian airspace, might stem from poor training rather than deliberate acts of war.

European defence ministers are responding with initiatives to bolster airspace security, including plans to create a ‘drone wall’ along EU borders with Russia and Ukraine, designed to detect and counter drone threats within a year. The European Commission has pledged €6 billion to fund a drone alliance with Ukraine to reinforce defence capabilities. Yet, costs remain a challenge; intercepting relatively inexpensive drones often entails deploying costly missiles, posing an unsustainable long-term financial burden on NATO countries.

Despite these tactical advantages, the Kremlin faces risks of unintended consequences. Hybrid attacks blur the lines between espionage, sabotage, and outright military action, potentially risking civilian casualties within NATO territory and unpredictable escalation responses. Additionally, allegations of Russian involvement complicate matters further, as unrelated criminal gangs may exploit the confusion to expand their activities under Moscow’s shadow. The volatile political climate, especially in the United States under President Donald Trump’s unpredictable stance, adds further uncertainty regarding the West’s response intensity.

This grey zone conflict also serves Putin’s strategic aims: increasing the costs for European countries supporting Ukraine, sowing distrust in national authorities, amplifying internal divisions, and distracting policymakers from the frontline peril Ukraine faces. The recent hybrid attacks—ranging from airport delays and cyber intrusions to drone sightings—have forced European governments to allocate new resources to resilience and defence, stretching already tight budgets amid an ongoing war of existential importance in Ukraine.

From the perspective of ordinary Europeans, these non-lethal disruptions—airport chaos, rising gas prices, and hacking incidents—represent a tangible reminder of the conflict’s reach, eerily mirroring hardships endured inside Russia itself, though on a different scale. For now, the hybrid warfare campaign stands as a costly, complex challenge for Europe, with no easy answers or clear culprits, but a distinct strategic win for Moscow’s broader aims in the conflict’s fourth year.

Source: Noah Wire Services