An alarming alert about the potential onset of a “hybrid war” has been issued, indicating ongoing unconventional warfare tactics unfolding in Europe, including incursions by drones, cyber assaults, and sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure.
The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, has raised concerns, emphasizing that the nation, with a population of 5.9 million and strategically located at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, is facing a series of attacks, indicating that this may be just the beginning of a larger threat.
Describing the concept of hybrid warfare, Frederiksen stated, “The objective is to intimidate, divide, and destabilize us by employing a combination of tactics such as drones, cyber warfare, and physical sabotage.”
Recent incidents in Denmark include the closure of airports due to unidentified drone activities, the seizure of a Russian cargo vessel, and the arrest of Chinese individuals operating drones near a key NATO installation.
Additionally, there have been reports of migrants, detained in Belarus, being coerced into crossing EU borders, described by leaders as a form of weaponized migration. These actions have prompted concerns from Latvia’s defense minister, Andris Sprūds, who highlighted the ongoing state of hybrid warfare.
The sophistication of these assaults is increasing, with incidents such as the cutting of undersea internet and power cables, cyber attacks disrupting essential services, and arson attacks targeting supply routes aiding Ukraine in its conflict against Moscow.
European leaders convened recently to enhance coordination and support for Kyiv, as the threat of hybrid warfare extends within their territories. Incidents like the drone swarm over Copenhagen Airport on September 22 underscore the escalating nature of these attacks.
Several European countries have reported airspace violations by Russia in recent weeks, with these occurrences becoming increasingly frequent, as noted by Fuad Shahbazov, an analyst at the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
Shahbazov explained, “This form of shadow warfare is intended to create disruption and undermine trust in government, even if the responsible party remains unidentified initially, leaving the victim feeling powerless.”
In a plea for unity, Frederiksen urged all Europeans to recognize the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the use of drones and cyber attacks aims to sow discord and division.
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