Russia Linked to Nearly 100 Hybrid Attacks in Europe in 2024, Czech Minister Reports

Russia is believed to be linked to nearly 100 incidents in Europe in 2024, classified as hybrid attacks, espionage, or influence operations. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský made this statement during a NATO meeting in Brussels.

According to Lipavský, around 500 suspicious incidents have been recorded across Europe this year, with up to 100 directly attributed to Russian activities. The Czech minister emphasized the need for a strong response, stating that Europe must send a clear message to Moscow that such actions will not be tolerated.

The NATO meeting also focused on strengthening collective security and countering hybrid threats. Member countries reaffirmed the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts to combat espionage and disinformation campaigns.

Russia has been actively using hybrid tactics in Europe, combining cyberattacks, disinformation, espionage, and physical sabotage to destabilize the region. In 2024, numerous incidents underscored the scale of this aggression, with Russian hackers targeting critical infrastructure, including energy and government systems, in countries such as Poland, Latvia, and Germany.

Earlier, NATO announced plans to develop a fleet of unmanned vessels to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. The initiative follows incidents involving damaged undersea cables in European waters. Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO's Commander of Concepts and Transformation, outlined the project, emphasizing the use of unmanned surface vessels for surveillance and monitoring.