Europe failing to deter Russia’s ‘hybrid’ war, warn defence officials

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Russian strikes kill 5 in Pavlohrad as Bulgaria reports ammo depot fire

   Russian forces killed 5 people and injured 67 after a drone strike hit a shopping center in Pavlohrad during broad daylight. Additional attacks targeted a residential building in Kyiv, causing a fire and two injuries, while bombs hit residential areas in Kramatorsk. In Bulgaria, a night fire and explosions occurred at an ammunition warehouse in Gabrovo 33 days after a previous blast. These events follow a pattern of Russian aggression since the February 2022 invasion, which President Vladimir Putin termed a special military operation.

   Why it matters

   Russia remains a global pariah due to sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has created the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Moscow continues to warn of consequences should Nato interfere in the region.

   What is confirmed

   • Russian forces invaded Ukraine in late February 2022.
   • President Vladimir Putin called Russia's actions a special military operation.
   • A Russian drone strike on a shopping center in Pavlohrad killed 5 people and injured 67.
   • Russian bombs hit a nine-story residential building in Kyiv, injuring two people.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A night fire and chain of explosions occurred at an ammunition warehouse in Gabrovo, Bulgaria.
   • Dozens of people were injured in Kramatorsk due to Russian bombs hitting residential buildings.
   • Russian air attacks targeted shopping centers in Zaporizhzhia and Sumy earlier in the week.

   What to watch next

   • Official Bulgarian government confirmation regarding the cause of the Gabrovo depot fire
   • Further reports on civilian casualties in Kramatorsk and other Dnipro region communities
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. www.scmp.com — Ukraine war
   2. www.saltwire.com — Chronicle Herald | News, Headlines and Stories | PNI Atlantic News
   3. finance.yahoo.com — One place for your portfolios, metrics and more
   4. www.saltwire.com — St. John's Telegram | News, Headlines and Stories | PNI Atlantic News
   5. jen.jiji.com — Ukraine, bombs on Kyiv: 2 injured. Russian raid on shopping center: death toll rises to 5
   6. jen.jiji.com — European Volleyball Championship, Italy-Sweden 22-18 in the first set, match suspended due to rain - Live
   7. tass.com — CBR Board of Directors to hold monetary policy meeting
   8. eualive.net — Another EMKO depot burns in Bulgaria – 33 days after the last blast
   confidence 90%
2. 1d ago

   France Threatens Legal Action Over Pro-Russian Pundit Return

   France stands ready to take legal action against Vincent Bollore's Cnews channel if pro-Russian pundit Xenia Fedorova returns to the airwaves. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez issued the warning in a letter to the president of the French Communications Authority, Martin Ajdari. Fedorova, the former head of Russian state channel Russia Today in France, was hit with an expulsion order from French territory in July. Authorities accuse her of manipulating information and public debate to benefit the Russian Federation, highlighting ongoing tensions over hybrid warfare and foreign influence across Europe.

   Why it matters

   This development unfolds as Western defence officials warn that Europe is losing the battle against Russian hybrid warfare and cannot sustain a war of attrition. While Moscow continues shadow warfare and sabotage to probe NATO resolve, the Kremlin dismisses fears of an invasion as pretexts for increased military spending.

   What is confirmed

   • French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that Cnews risks legal action if pro-Russian pundit Xenia Fedorova returns on air.
   • Xenia Fedorova, the former head of Russia Today in France, was subject to an expulsion order from French territory in July.
   • Fedorova is accused of manipulating information and public debate in France for the benefit of the Russian Federation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Vincent Bollore's Cnews channel announced the return of Xenia Fedorova to video in France.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Cnews proceeds with broadcasting Xenia Fedorova despite the government warning
   • Any formal legal action initiated by French authorities against the television channel or pundit
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. jen.jiji.com — Volleyball European Championship, today Italy-Sweden: schedule and where to watch it for free
   2. www.theamericanconservative.com — How to Lower the Odds of Russia–NATO War
   3. jen.jiji.com — France, Government ready for legal action if pro-Russian pundit Fedorova returns on air
   4. www.theatlantic.com — What Russia Is Really Up To in Europe
   5. www.yahoo.com — Five hammer blows that could finally defeat Putin’s Russia
   confidence 90%
3. 3d ago

   Defence Officials Warn Europe Fails to Deter Russian Hybrid War

   Defence officials warn that Europe is losing the battle to halt Russia's hybrid warfare and cannot sustain a war of attrition with Moscow. While the US urges NATO allies to prepare for potential Russian attacks, President Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump during a one-hour phone call that Russia has no aggressive plans toward Europe. The Kremlin dismisses fears of an invasion as pretexts for the EU to increase military spending and support for Kyiv, though Western analysts suggest Putin is probing NATO's resolve through sabotage and shadow warfare.

   Why it matters

   Russia is utilizing hybrid tactics to test NATO's boundaries without triggering a full-scale hot war. This occurs as European nations face internal political shifts and struggle with military readiness. The tension follows missions to Moscow and Kyiv by White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

   What is confirmed

   • Defence officials state Europe is failing to deter Russia's hybrid war.
   • Defence officials warn Europe cannot sustain a war of attrition with Russia.
   • The US has urged NATO allies to prepare for a potential Russian attack.
   • President Vladimir Putin spoke with Donald Trump via telephone for one hour.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Sergei Lavrov suggested a conflict would be short if Europe strikes Russia.
   • The AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt is viewed by some Germans as a threat to democracy.
   • Russia is testing NATO's ability to avoid a hot war through sabotage.

   What to watch next

   • Details of the security agreements following the Trump-Putin call
   • Further evidence of Russian sabotage operations in Europe
   • NATO's formal response to the US urge for attack preparations
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. USA Today — US urges NATO allies to prepare in case Russia attacks
   2. Atlantic Council — Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine
   3. WSJ — Russia Is Testing NATO’s Ability to Hold Back From a Hot War
   4. The New York Times — The Risk of Russian Sabotage in Europe: A Fight That Spirals Out of Control
   5. ft.com — Europe failing to deter Russia’s ‘hybrid’ war, warn defence officials
   6. The Guardian — Europe would not be able to sustain war of attrition with Russia, defence officials say
   7. BBC — 'Losing battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war' and 'Oh chute!'
   8. The Washington Post — Opinion | Putin is probing NATO. He keeps finding mush, not steel.
   9. Salon.com — Putin is testing Europe. How far will he go before war?
   10. American Enterprise Institute - AEI — Putin’s Shadow War Against Europe Is Getting More Intense
   11. www.theguardian.com — Ukraine’s prosecutor general resigns after corruption allegations as Russia resumes strikes on Kyiv – Europe live
   12. www.csmonitor.com — After landslide far-right victory, Germany asks: What just happened?
   confidence 85%