Budanov: Europe is finally waking up to Russia’s hybrid warfare

Live updates

1. 27d ago

   Budanov warns Europe as hybrid threats prompt defense talks

   European security faces rising tension as officials address a wave of infrastructure attacks and sabotage attributed to Moscow. Kyrylo Budanov, head of President Zelenskyy's office, warned Euronews that a European security architecture without the United States would be very dangerous. During an exclusive interview at the Euronews Defence and Space Summit in Brussels, Budanov outlined Kyiv's vision for closer defense cooperation with Europe. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy dismissed accusations that President Vladimir Putin is intensifying a hybrid war against NATO.

   Why it matters

   NATO officials blame Russia for numerous suspected infrastructure attacks and sabotage incidents this year. Governments across the region face increasing urgency to counter multi-domain operations as hostile actions move closer to allied territory. Kyiv is positioning itself as a strategic partner by offering access to advanced counter-drone technology.

   What is confirmed

   • Kyrylo Budanov serves as the head of President Zelenskyy's office.
   • NATO officials blame Russia for a slew of suspected sabotage incidents and infrastructure attacks this year.
   • Countries with existing drone cooperation agreements with Kyiv could negotiate access to Ukraine's latest technology for countering new jet-powered Russian drones.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Russian embassy slammed claims that Putin is intensifying a hybrid war on NATO.

   What to watch next

   • Further announcements on European defense cooperation at the Euronews summit
   • Potential agreements between Kyiv and partner countries regarding counter-drone technology access
   • Formal responses from NATO and European capitals to Budanov's security warnings
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.euronews.com — Europe's security and defence in focus amid escalating hybrid threats
   2. www.newsweek.com — Russian Embassy Slams Claims Putin Intensifying ‘Hybrid War’ on NATO
   3. www.yahoo.com — Exclusive: Ukraine's partners could access new tech to ...
   4. ru.euronews.com — Кирилл Буданов: безопасность Европы без США - это «очень ...
   confidence 95%
2. 29d ago

   Russia Intensifies Hybrid Warfare Across Europe

   Russia is escalating a campaign of hybrid aggression directed at targets across Europe, carrying out cyberattacks, sabotage operations, and attacks near international borders. Research indicates these aggressive tactics pose a direct threat to the entire European continent rather than just immediate neighbors. Western officials note that Moscow is pairing battlefield struggles with covert disruptions, including infrastructure bombings and cyber assaults. Governments across the region face mounting pressure to counter these multi-domain operations as hostile actions draw closer to allied territory.

   Why it matters

   European capitals are increasingly treating frequent border violations, cyber threats, and sabotage attempts as deliberate provocations designed to test regional resolve. The expanding campaign coincides with ongoing military friction in Ukraine, raising fears that Moscow seeks to fracture Western alliances and erode backing for Kyiv.

   What is confirmed

   • Hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, poses a big threat to the whole of Europe and Russia's neighbours.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia has been bombing border crossings, infrastructure, and trains in Ukraine very close to other borders while conducting acts of sabotage.

   What to watch next

   • Further official attribution of specific sabotage operations by European governments
   • Coordinated policy responses from NATO allies regarding cyberattacks and infrastructure threats
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. flipboard.com — Russia Expected To Intensify Hybrid Warfare Across Europe
   2. theconversation.com — As Baltic states face Russian hybrid aggression, our research shows what Europe can do
   confidence 90%
3. 31d ago

   Europe Accuses Russia of Escalating Hybrid Warfare

   European leaders are publicly blaming Russia for a campaign of hybrid warfare that includes drone explosions, airspace violations, cyberattacks, disinformation, and arson attacks targeting Poland, Romania, and Moldova. United States and European officials worry that President Vladimir Putin is testing NATO unity and attempting to weaken support for Kyiv while struggling on the battlefield. Following close-call incursions and the discovery of an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane at a German airport, more governments are labeling these incidents as deliberate acts of aggression.

   Why it matters

   Moscow is pushing the boundaries of conflict below the threshold of open warfare to challenge Western stability. Russian foreign-policy rhetoric has grown increasingly aggressive, extending threats beyond Ukraine to other Western countries. European nations now face the urgent question of how to respond effectively to these persistent security breaches.

   What is confirmed

   • Poland, Romania, and Moldova are regularly targeted in Russian drone explosions, airspace violations, and arson attacks.
   • European nations accuse Moscow of deploying cyberattacks, disinformation, drones, and covert operations.
   • An explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo plane at a German airport.
   • President Vladimir Putin has stepped up attempts to challenge NATO unity and weaken support for Kyiv as Russia struggles on the battlefield.

   Still unconfirmed

   • European nations remain hesitant and are currently wavering on how to respond to the stepped-up shadow war.

   What to watch next

   • Concrete joint defensive responses or sanctions from European leaders against Moscow.
   • Further security incidents or airspace breaches involving NATO member states.
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. www.nytimes.com — As Russia Steps Up Shadow War, Europeans Waver on How to Respond
   2. www.usatoday.com — US, Europe worry Russia is testing NATO with hybrid attacks and sabotage
   3. www.dw.com — Russia expected to intensify hybrid war on Europe
   4. www.wionews.com — The Verdict | How Moscow’s alleged hybrid warfare is ... - WION
   5. www.ukrinform.net — Budanov: Russian foreign-policy rhetoric becomes increasingly ...
   6. www.yahoo.com — US, Europe worry Russia is testing NATO with hybrid attacks ...
   7. www.spokesman.com — U.S., Europe worry Russia is testing NATO with hybrid attacks ...
   confidence 95%
4. 34d ago

   Europe Alarmed by Escalating Russian Hybrid Warfare

   European nations are increasingly concerned as the Kremlin pushes the boundaries of hybrid warfare through a series of bold incidents. While Kyrylo Budanov suggests Europe is waking up to these threats, Ukrainians are warning Western allies that Vladimir Putin is also at war with them. U.S. allies fear future escalations as Moscow employs tactics that exist just below the threshold of open conflict. This shift follows NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's description of Russian drone operations in Ukraine as acts of desperation.

   Why it matters

   Hybrid warfare involves non-traditional attacks designed to destabilize targets without triggering full military responses. The tension centers on whether NATO deterrence is sufficient to stop Russian aggression from spreading beyond Ukraine.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia uses tactics that straddle the threshold of war.
   • Kyrylo Budanov states European nations are acknowledging the nature of Russian hybrid warfare.

   Still unconfirmed

   • NATO deterrence has been weakened by a failure to respond to Russian attacks.

   What to watch next

   • Evidence of specific Russian hybrid attacks targeting NATO infrastructure
   • Official NATO policy shifts regarding the threshold for responding to hybrid warfare
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. washingtonmonthly.com — Europe Struggles to Respond to Russian Attacks
   2. www.nbcnews.com — Europe frets as the Kremlin pushes the limits of its hybrid warfare
   confidence 80%
5. 49d ago

   Budanov Claims Europe is Recognizing Russian Hybrid Warfare

   Kyrylo Budanov asserts that European nations are finally acknowledging the nature of Russia's hybrid warfare. This shift comes as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte describes Russian drone tactics in Ukraine as desperate. While some reports suggest Russia's threats now extend beyond Ukraine, other analyses claim NATO deterrence has been weakened by a failure to respond to Russian attacks. The situation reflects a broader tension between Russia's strategic goals in Europe and the West's evolving defensive posture.

   Why it matters

   Hybrid warfare combines conventional military force with cyberattacks, disinformation, and political subversion. These tactics aim to destabilize adversaries without triggering a full-scale conventional war. Understanding this strategy is critical for NATO's collective defense planning.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Kyrylo Budanov claims Europe is waking up to Russia's hybrid warfare.
   • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte branded Russian drone tactics in Ukraine as desperate.
   • NATO deterrence is weakened by a lack of response to Russian attacks.
   • Russian threats to Europe extend beyond Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • Official NATO policy changes regarding responses to hybrid attacks
   • Further statements from Mark Rutte on Russian drone capabilities
   • Evidence of specific Russian hybrid operations targeting non-Ukrainian European states
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Euronews.com — Budanov: Europe is finally waking up to Russia’s hybrid warfare
   2. The Atlantic — Russia’s Real Strategy in Europe
   3. Euronews.com — NATO's deterrence 'weakened' by lack of response to Russian attacks
   4. The Dispatch — Russia’s Threats to Europe Extend Beyond Ukraine
   5. channel4.com — Russian drone ‘tactics’ in Ukraine branded ‘desperate’ by NATO’s Mark Rutte
   confidence 40%