Translated with AI
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that recent drone incidents and violations of EU airspace demonstrate that Europe is facing a hybrid war waged by Russia. She believes this must be addressed with measures that go beyond traditional defense.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, Ursula von der Leyen said:
"This isn't random intimidation. This is a sustained and escalating campaign aimed at destabilizing our citizens, testing our resolve, dividing our Union, and weakening our support for Ukraine. And it's time to call a spade a spade. This is hybrid warfare."
The head of the European Commission did not say that Russia was responsible for all the incidents, but said that Russia's clear goal is to "sow discord" in Europe.
"Combating Russia's hybrid warfare is not just about traditional defense. It requires a new way of thinking from all of us. We can either avoid and watch Russian threats escalate, or we can confront them with unity, deterrence, and resolve."
— von der Leyen emphasized.
The term "hybrid warfare" emerged in Western military theory in the 2000s, but it gained widespread currency in Europe after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine. NATO and the EU then began applying it to Russia's actions, which combined classic military operations with the use of private military companies, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic pressure. Experts noted that Russia was using such tactics to advance its interests while concealing its direct involvement.
