Macron warns of intensified Russian hybrid threat, urges protection of critical infrastructure
Quick Look
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that Russian hybrid threats against Europe and France have intensified, urging the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure, defense industry sites, and technology facilities from drone and cyberattacks, while reaffirming France's continued support for Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to ongoing hybrid threats from Russia against European states, including sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and drone incursions, prompting increased concern among EU members.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday highlighted the threat of Russian hybrid attacks and called for measures to protect key infrastructure.
"The Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified," Macron said, adding that he had asked "the government to prepare a plan to protect our critical infrastructure."
The plan would also involve protecting the "most sensitive" defense industry and technology sites against drone and cyberattacks.
What else did Macron say?
Macron said that France would continue supporting Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and vowed to respond to Russia's shadow attacks.
"This will not go unanswered," Macron said, without elaborating.
"The intention behind it is to intimidate us and to derail the effort to support the Ukrainians. The consequence will be the opposite," he added.
"We are not intimidated, because we know that what is at stake today in Ukraine is our security."
EU states concerned over Russian hybrid threat
The comments come amid increasing concern from European states that Russia is ramping up hybrid threats that include acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and possible drone incursions.
Poland, Germany and Denmark have in recent weeks accused Russia of being being a series of drone incursions as well as instances of sabotage, arson, and surveillance of defense facilities.
Moscow has also been accused of planning to use a drone carrying explosives to attack an airport.
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needed a mechanism similar to NATO that would allow for a better response to hybrid attacks blamed on Russia.
The EU chief cited incidents such as an attempted drone attack on Leipzig last month that German authorities have attributed to Russia.
Von der Leyen said the EU needed to develop "a consensus on how to respond to certain incidents ... that fall below armed aggression but clearly threaten our national security."
Edited by: Zac Crellin
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
France will implement a national plan to protect critical infrastructure from hybrid threats.
Very likely · Within weeks
The EU will develop a coordinated response mechanism for hybrid attacks below the threshold of armed aggression.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific measures will France's infrastructure protection plan include?
- How will the EU develop a coordinated response mechanism similar to NATO for hybrid threats?
- What evidence do Poland, Germany, and Denmark have regarding Russian drone incursions and sabotage?
