russia has intensified sabotage operations across Europe
russia has significantly escalated hybrid attacks, with the main targets being the critical infrastructure of European countries. This is stated in a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
▫️ These are not isolated incidents but a systematic kremlin campaign. Since 2022, after the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the number of sabotage operations has sharply increased. In 2024 alone, incidents quadrupled compared to the previous year (33 incidents). In 2025, 11 attacks have already been recorded.
▫️ The methods of russian intelligence include arson, damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, GPS interference, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and more. The kremlin actively recruits citizens of third countries online to bypass counterintelligence measures after the expulsion of hundreds of russian spies from Europe. This makes it harder to prove russia’s involvement in sabotage and creates room for manipulation.
russia is trying to identify Europe’s weak spots in order to undermine its resilience and simultaneously reduce support for Ukraine. This is why countering hybrid attacks is becoming a key element of security for the entire continent.
