Latvia’s defence minister warns of hybrid warfare as Russian incursions increase

European officials believe that Russia is intensifying its hybrid campaign against Europe, marked by repeated violations of NATO member airspace and a surge in cyber and sabotage incidents allegedly linked to Moscow.

“We are not formally at war, but we are not at peace, we are in hybrid warfare. This is a reality, what we have to face, what we have to address, what we have to be ready for: sabotage incidents, misinformation, the weaponization of illegal immigration, cyber attacks," he said, according to Bloomberg.

Latvian concerns come amid a broader escalation of Russian hybrid tactics across Europe. Over the past month, Russian aircraft have repeatedly violated the airspace of NATO members, including drone incursions into Poland and Romania and fighter jets crossing into Estonia.

In Denmark, authorities are investigating sightings of large drones near several airports last week, causing flight cancellations and delays.

These actions add to a pattern of signal jamming and sabotage incidents that European countries attribute to Moscow.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Latvia has shut half of its official border crossings with Russia and Belarus.

The government in Riga has invested millions of euros in a 145-kilometer fence that spans nearly the entire border with Belarus. Train traffic between Latvia and Belarus has also been sharply reduced, with just one train per day in each direction.

By Sabina Mammadli