Macron Flags Rising Russian Threat as Hybrid Attacks Target Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned of a mounting Russian threat facing Europe, pointing to a pattern of hybrid attacks aimed at destabilising the continent.

Hybrid warfare describes the use of multiple methods — both military and non-military, overt and covert — to pressure or weaken another country without necessarily crossing the threshold of a conventional armed conflict. Such campaigns can unfold below the level of open war, making them harder to attribute and counter.

Macron's warning places the issue squarely within Europe's broader security debate, where concerns have been growing about activities designed to sow division and disrupt normal functioning without triggering a traditional military response.

The concept of hybrid warfare has gained prominence as states seek ways to exert influence that fall short of direct confrontation. Because these methods are varied and often concealed, they pose a distinct challenge to governments accustomed to responding to conventional threats.

Macron's remarks underscore the emphasis European leaders are placing on identifying and defending against such tactics as part of the continent's wider security posture.