European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a stark warning to EU lawmakers, declaring that Europe is under attack through a new form of “hybrid warfare” — a blend of cyber, information, and military tactics aimed at destabilizing the region.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said that a recent wave of airspace violations, drone incursions, cyberattacks, and election interference was not “random harassment” but a deliberate campaign to weaken the bloc.
“In just the past two weeks, MiG fighters have violated Estonia’s airspace, and drones have flown over critical sites in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Denmark and Germany. Flights have been grounded, jets scrambled, and countermeasures deployed to ensure the safety of our citizens,” she said.
“This is hybrid warfare, and we have to take it very seriously.”
Von der Leyen described a “worrying pattern of growing threats” across Europe, pointing to cut undersea cables, cyberattacks on airports and logistics hubs, and malign influence operations targeting elections. While she stopped short of directly blaming Russia for all incidents, she said it was “evident that Moscow wants to sow division.”
The Kremlin has long faced accusations of orchestrating such attacks on its European neighbors — a charge it continues to deny.
What Is Hybrid Warfare?
Hybrid warfare is a strategy that combines traditional military operations with irregular tactics, such as cyberattacks, disinformation, economic coercion, and sabotage, to destabilize a target without open conflict. It operates in what von der Leyen called the “twilight of deniability,” making it difficult to prove who is behind each act.
European nations bordering Russia — including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania — have become frontline targets for such activities, ranging from energy infrastructure sabotage to airspace and maritime intrusions.
These incidents underscore the evolving nature of modern conflict, where wars are fought not just on battlefields, but in cyberspace, infrastructure, and public perception.
Von der Leyen’s remarks signal a growing determination within the EU to strengthen defense, cybersecurity, and intelligence cooperation, as Europe confronts an increasingly shadowy and sophisticated threat landscape.