European officials are sounding alarms over a surge in Russian hybrid attacks aimed at testing NATO's defenses and eroding support for Ukraine. A new assessment from Denmark's Defense Intelligence Service released on September 24 warned that Russia will intensify such operations with greater consequences for targeted countries.

The report highlighted risks including cyberattacks that cripple infrastructure and sabotage with potential for casualties. It also flagged a low but growing chance of limited Russian military strikes on NATO border nations, possibly involving long-range weapons or small troop deployments under pretexts like protecting minorities.

Recent incidents underscore the pattern. German investigators determined that Russian operatives sent an explosive-laden drone toward Leipzig/Halle Airport this summer. A Russian drone struck near the Polish border earlier this month. A Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish military helicopter over international waters last week. Drones have violated Lithuanian airspace, and navigation systems for passenger planes have faced jamming.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Russia may stage attacks it claims are accidental to weaken NATO unity. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described a proliferation of sabotage and airspace violations designed to scare Europe into reducing aid to Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that the alliance has plans to handle such threats and urged calm. Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Alexus Grynkewich noted stepped-up intelligence sharing among members. Russia has denied involvement in the operations.

These actions come as Russia faces battlefield setbacks in Ukraine. Officials from eastern flank nations view the hybrid campaign as an effort to divide the alliance without triggering full Article 5 responses. Incidents have risen sharply, with tracking data showing escalation from dozens in early 2025 to over 200 recently.

Leaders stress the need for vigilance on critical infrastructure, including undersea cables and energy grids. The Danish assessment positioned the hybrid push as a desperate bid to fracture Western resolve rather than a prelude to broader invasion.