Russia's hybrid tactics grow bolder, experts say fear is spreading across Europe

According to Professor Katarzyna Zysk, Russia is increasingly overt about its involvement in hybrid attacks aimed at European countries, using the visibility to sow fear and demonstrate capability. She attributes the change to a deliberate strategy and to a depletion of experienced Russian intelligence officers, which now leaves operations in the hands of less-trained local recruits, raising the number and speed of attacks but lowering their stealth.

Kristian Åtland of the Defence Research Institute observes that Russia's already poor relationship with NATO lessens the incentive to conceal its actions, though some ambiguity remains useful to deter a full military response. Both analysts agree that the hybrid campaign has failed to weaken Western support for Ukraine and has instead prompted a stronger NATO reaction. They warn that the gradual normalization of such attacks, which increasingly resemble terrorist acts, could impose significant costs on European societies. The experts stress that Russia would likely stop short of a direct NATO Article 5 confrontation, but the heightened risk of miscalculation remains a serious concern.