Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Europe Confronts Russia’s Alleged Hybrid Warfare and NATO Strains
European countries say Russia is using more than regular soldiers and weapons to pressure them.
They describe cyberattacks, false information, economic pressure and secret operations as hybrid warfare.
Several drones have entered NATO airspace near the Baltic region.
European officials also blame Russia for or link it to several other suspicious incidents.
Russia denies the accusations and says European countries are acting aggressively.
Hungary has now described Russia as a threat to Hungary, Europe and the world order.
European countries are trying to improve their own defences while helping Ukraine.
NATO has not activated its mutual-defence promise because the alleged incidents have not reached that level.
European countries accuse Russia of using cyberattacks, disinformation, drones and covert operations to destabilise them.
Several drones have entered NATO airspace in the Baltic region since March, amid allegations of Russian interference.
European governments have linked alleged hybrid attacks to incidents in Poland, Estonia, Romania and Germany.
Russia rejects the accusations, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calls them “scare stories.”
Europe is strengthening its defences as alleged attacks remain below the threshold for NATO’s mutual-defence clause.
- Who
- European countries and NATO members are accusing Russia; Moscow denies the allegations.
- What
- The dispute concerns alleged Russian hybrid warfare involving drones, cyberattacks, disinformation, covert operations and possible election interference.
- When
- Concerns have intensified in recent months, with several drone incidents reported since March.
- Where
- Incidents and allegations involve the Baltic region, Poland, Estonia, Romania, Germany, France and Hungary.
- Why
- European governments say the alleged activities are intended to destabilise them and test NATO’s resolve without starting an open war.
European governments’ allegations
Moscow’s denials
Responsibility for incidents
European governments’ allegations
European officials accuse Russia of directing or supporting drone incursions, sabotage, fires, assassination attempts and other hybrid attacks.
Moscow’s denials
Russia rejects the accusations, with Dmitry Peskov calling them “scare stories” unrelated to reality.
Strategic intentions
European governments’ allegations
European countries say the alleged operations aim to destabilise them and test NATO without provoking a full-scale war.
Moscow’s denials
Moscow says European countries are pursuing an aggressive policy towards Russia.
European security response
European governments’ allegations
European nations are strengthening their defences and taking a larger role in supporting Ukraine.
Moscow’s denials
Russia’s stated position, as presented in the article, is that the European framing of the threat is unfounded.
- Alleged tactics
- Cyberattacks, disinformation, economic coercion, electronic warfare, covert operations and limited kinetic action.
- Baltic drone incidents
- Several drones have entered NATO airspace across the Baltic region since March.
- Reported German incident
- Germany discovered an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig Airport.
- Other cited incidents
- Poland reported thwarting an attempted assassination, Estonia cited a fire at a drone facility, and a drone struck a Romanian apartment building in May.
- Russian position
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the claims as “scare stories” and accused Europe of aggression.
- Hungary’s policy shift
- Prime Minister Peter Magyar is seeking to rewrite Hungary’s ties with Moscow, while new policy documents classify Russia as a threat.
- NATO response
- The alleged activity has remained below the threshold for activating NATO’s mutual-defence clause.