Ukraine warns Europe of expanding Russian hybrid attacks and urges cooperation
Kirilo Budanov said Russia is extending hybrid warfare beyond the Baltics into Central Europe, citing sabotage and propaganda incidents.
Speaking at a security forum in Riga, former Ukrainian intelligence chief Kirilo Budanov warned that Russia’s hybrid war is moving beyond the Baltic region into Central Europe, manifesting as propaganda, sabotage and attacks on defence assets. He pointed to a suspected Russian-linked arson on an Estonian defence contractor, a drone packed with explosives intercepted at Leipzig airport, and German foreign minister Johann Wadephul’s claim of a sustained Russian destabilisation effort.
Budanov stressed that Baltic states are already receiving full intelligence support and that the threat will remain persistent. He highlighted Ukraine’s hard-won battlefield experience, saying no other country has faced a war of comparable scale. Budanov concluded with a stark message: European states must either confront Russia directly or work closely with Ukraine to avoid repeating its losses.
Why it matters
The warning signals a widening security risk for Europe as Russian hybrid tactics target critical infrastructure and defence sectors.
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