Russia has conducted a hybrid war across Eastern Europe for more than 10 years [1], using cyber sabotage and political manipulation [2].
This strategy represents a shift in geopolitical conflict, where discreet attacks and propaganda are used to destabilize European Union member states without triggering a full-scale conventional war. By targeting the infrastructure and political stability of the East, Russia seeks to weaken the NATO alliance and extend its own regional influence [3].
The campaign includes a mix of cyberattacks, interference, and the use of drones [2]. This silent conflict began following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 [1]. Since then, the operations have expanded into countries such as Poland and Germany [4].
In Germany, officials have prepared for these hybrid threats as Berlin becomes a primary target [4]. The volatility of the region was further highlighted by a Ukrainian drone raid on Russian targets on Jan. 2, 2026 [4].
Russian leadership has maintained a stance of readiness for escalation. Vladimir Putin said he was "ready right now to make war with the Europeans if they wish and start" [5].
Russia has also utilized advanced weaponry as a tool of intimidation. In Nov. 2024, Putin said he would target Kyiv with the new Orechnik missile [6]. He described such actions as a "response" [6].
These tactics, combining the Orechnik missile threats with discreet cyber sabotage, allow the Kremlin to apply pressure on the EU while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability [2]. The ongoing efforts to destabilize the region continue through 2026 [1].
“A silent conflict began following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.”
The transition to hybrid warfare indicates that the Kremlin is prioritizing the erosion of Western institutional trust and infrastructure over direct territorial conquest in some sectors. By blending covert sabotage with overt missile threats, Russia creates a state of permanent instability that complicates the collective defense mechanisms of NATO and the EU.
