War

Europe Grapples With 'Hybrid Warfare' While Rebuilding Its Defense Capabilities

Russia is targeting western nations with arson, bombings, assassination plots, and cyber-attacks.

J.D. Tuccille | 10.12.2026 7:00 AM

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Western intelligence services are reportedly worried about Russian assassination plots targeting European defense industry leaders. This comes just weeks after an explosion at a factory in Italy that produces munitions for Ukraine's war against Russian invaders and arson attacks on plants in Bulgaria and Estonia. Before that was the failed drone attack on Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport, which officials blame on Russia. The European Union and NATO may not openly be at war with their eastern neighbor, but Putin's regime is waging something destructive and deadly against the western allies that officials dub "hybrid warfare" and that leaves them struggling to respond.

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Stalemate Breeds Assassination Attempts and Other Covert Attacks

"Western intelligence agencies have warned Europe's defence bosses that Russia is stepping up efforts to assassinate them, prompting companies to increase personal security around their top executives," according to a story in the Financial Times. "With progress on the battlefield deadlocked in Ukraine and Russia's economy struggling, the Kremlin has ordered an expansion of sabotage and 'hybrid' operations in Europe as it seeks to fatally weaken support........

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