A concerning alert about the potential onset of a “hybrid war” in Europe has been raised, emphasizing ongoing incidents of drone infiltrations, cyber assaults, and sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure. Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has cautioned that these attacks signify the beginning of a disruptive phase, with the Scandinavian nation facing various security breaches recently.
The concept of a hybrid war, as described by Frederiksen, involves using a combination of tactics such as drones, cyber warfare, and physical sabotage to threaten, divide, and destabilize nations. Denmark has experienced disruptions at its airports due to unauthorized drone activities and has also encountered incidents like the seizure of a Russian cargo ship and the arrest of Chinese individuals operating drones near a significant NATO base.
Furthermore, a strategic migration movement orchestrated by Belarus, pushing migrants across EU borders, has been labeled as a form of ‘weaponized’ migration by leaders. This situation has led Latvia’s defense minister, Andris Sprūds, to acknowledge the existence of hybrid warfare conditions, characterized by sabotage, misinformation, illegal immigration exploitation, and cyber attacks.
Recent attacks have shown an escalation in sophistication, including cutting undersea cables, cyber offensives disrupting essential services, and arson targeting supply routes aiding Ukraine against Moscow. European leaders convened to strengthen defenses and extend support to Kyiv amidst the expanding threat within their territories. Incidents like the drone swarm over Copenhagen Airport on September 22 underscore the growing frequency of such disturbances.
Several European nations have raised concerns about Russia’s airspace probing activities in recent weeks, with experts pointing out the covert nature of these incursions. Fuad Shahbazov, an analyst at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, highlighted the impact of shadow warfare on targeted countries, emphasizing the challenge of attributing blame immediately and the potential damage to public trust in governing bodies.
In light of these developments, Frederiksen has emphasized the importance of European unity in understanding and addressing the ongoing threats. The aim is to prevent divisions caused by disruptive acts like drone incursions and cyber attacks that aim to create discord among nations.