Bloomberg: Russia escalates hybrid attacks on Europe, vows to make its life 'hell'
A Bloomberg investigation finds Russia's hybrid attacks on European countries growing more aggressive and reckless, with officials warning civilian casualties are only a matter of time. A source close to the Kremlin said Moscow intends to make Europe's life 'hell' over its support for Ukraine.
An extensive Bloomberg investigation reports that Russia's hybrid attacks on European nations are becoming increasingly aggressive and reckless. European officials who spoke to the outlet say it is only a matter of time before such attacks cause civilian casualties.
While Russia was previously accused mainly of election interference and weaponizing migrants against Europe, it is now suspected of sabotage, arson, attacks on critical infrastructure, cyberattacks, and airspace violations. Many incidents, particularly cyberattacks and hacks, go publicly unreported, meaning the true scale of the hybrid campaign is likely far larger than currently known.
Targeting Ukraine's supply chain
A NATO official told Bloomberg that over the past two months Russia has concentrated its attacks on defense-industrial and logistics targets directly tied to support for Ukraine. The campaign has grown more aggressive and riskier, though its aims are described as strategic rather than intended to cause direct physical harm. Emily Ferris, an associate fellow at RUSI, said Russia consistently probes for weaknesses in NATO's infrastructure and flexibly employs a range of tactics and targets while taking on increasing risk.
European officials are confident Moscow is behind these operations, which are structured to give Russian authorities plausible deniability — the actual perpetrators are typically hired through intermediaries for money.
A campaign born of desperation
According to Bloomberg's intelligence sources, Russia is acting out of desperation after Ukrainian drone strikes on logistics hubs and the fuel and energy sector severely damaged its economy. The more painful Ukraine's strikes become, the louder calls grow within Russia's leadership for Europe to pay for its support of Kyiv. A source close to the Kremlin stated outright that Russia intends to make Europe's life 'hell' through asymmetric hybrid operations over its backing of Ukraine.
So far, however, Bloomberg notes the campaign has backfired. Germany's interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, said the country has become a 'daily target' of hybrid warfare, yet Germany has nonetheless announced it will supply Ukraine with missiles for its air defense systems and launched serial production of drones for the Ukrainian military.
Meanwhile, Russia continues daily strikes on Ukraine. Overnight on September 17, Russian attacks damaged warehouses, office buildings and multistory apartment buildings in Kyiv, injuring 20 people. In Odesa, a strike damaged a 19-story building, injuring six people, including two children.
