Macron orders safeguards for French infrastructure against rising Russian hybrid threats
President Emmanuel Macron announced new measures to shield France's critical infrastructure from escalating Russian hybrid attacks, including drones and cyber threats.
President Emmanuel Macron told French political figures that Russia's covert operations are becoming more aggressive across Europe, prompting him to order a comprehensive plan to defend the nation's critical infrastructure. The initiative focuses on the most sensitive defence and technology facilities, aiming to counter both drone incursions and cyber attacks. Earlier, the interior minister met with regional prefects to raise alert levels in response to these hybrid threats.
Macron emphasized that France will continue backing Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and warned that any Russian intimidation attempts will be met with a firm response. He framed the effort as essential to European security and to prevent attempts to derail support for Kyiv.
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Why it matters
France's new defenses signal heightened European tension over Russian covert aggression and underscore continued support for Ukraine.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian rail hub and vessels as drones hit Russian ports
- Sep 13 Polish combat aircraft were ordered to operate in national airspace in the early hours of Saturday.
- Sep 13 A Russian drone struck a passenger train locomotive within two kilometres of the Poland‑Ukraine border, causing no casualties.
- Sep 14 Poland deployed a helicopter to patrol its airspace and issued civilian alerts following the drone attacks.
- Sep 14 A Russian drone struck a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after a diplomatic train carrying former UK and Swedish leaders left the station, prompting condemnation from European officials.
- Sep 14 A train carrying former British prime minister Boris Johnson and other senior officials was reported to be near the drone strike.
- Sep 14 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine had offered its allies to secure an agreement with Russia to end destruction of critical infrastructure.
- Sep 14 NATO pledged to increase military aid to Ukraine and reinforce its eastern flank.
- Sep 14 Kim Jong-un promised his “unwavering support” to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter, calling Russia’s war “sacred”.
- Sep 15 Report clarified that the damaged locomotive was intended to adjust wheelsets for differing track gauges.
- Sep 15 NATO Secretary General said the alliance will raise its aid to Ukraine.
- Sep 15 Poland began fortifying its border crossings with temporary sand‑filled blast walls and new observation posts at Dorohusk, Medyka and Korczowa.
- Sep 17 A fourth Russian strike on the Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works wounded a worker.
- Sep 17 A Russian jet‑drone strike near the Polish‑Ukrainian border triggered air‑defence alerts and fighter scrambles.
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