# Expert Warns of Russia's Hybrid Warfare Campaign Against Europe Russia exploits European restraint by utilizing illegal and unethical hybrid tactics. - **Source:** [France 24 – Europe](https://www.france24.com/en/europe) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3e49bdab-9c63-40ab-aa52-d1fce6e5a2be ## Escalating Hybrid Warfare Concerns European nations are facing a surge in hoax threats and cyber attacks, raising alarms about a coordinated hybrid warfare campaign. Elisabeth Braw, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, suggests these incidents are not isolated. The situation reflects a broader strategy aimed at destabilizing regional security through persistent, non-conventional pressure tactics. ## Russia's Strategic Objective The primary goal behind these operations is for Russia to expand its geopolitical influence at the direct expense of European stability. By engaging in this dirty war, Moscow seeks to shift the balance of power. This approach targets the vulnerabilities of open societies that rely on transparent communication and democratic institutional processes. ## Asymmetric Warfare Tactics Russia utilizes illegal and unethical methods to conduct its campaign, knowing that European countries are unlikely to retaliate with identical measures. This asymmetry provides a distinct advantage to the aggressor. By operating in the gray zone, they avoid triggering traditional military responses while still causing significant disruption to daily public life. ## Institutional Security Vulnerabilities The Transatlantic Security Initiative highlights how these hybrid tactics exploit the structural differences between authoritarian and democratic governance. Because European states adhere to international laws and ethical standards, they struggle to counter clandestine operations effectively. This creates a strategic gap that allows hostile actors to maintain constant pressure without facing immediate consequences. ## Nature of Hybrid Threats Hybrid warfare integrates cyber attacks, disinformation, and psychological operations to weaken a target nation's internal cohesion. Unlike conventional warfare, these actions often remain below the threshold of open conflict. This makes attribution difficult and complicates the process of forming a unified diplomatic or defensive response among the affected European member states. ## The Ethics of Retaliation A critical component of this conflict is the moral constraint placed upon European governments. Because they operate under strict legal frameworks, they cannot mirror the unethical tactics employed by their adversaries. This restraint is viewed by analysts as a deliberate exploitation point, forcing Europe to seek alternative, often slower, defensive mechanisms. ## Historical Context of Gray-Zone Tactics The current campaign follows a long-standing pattern of gray-zone activities where states use non-military tools to achieve political objectives. These tactics have evolved from simple propaganda to complex digital interference. Understanding this historical progression is essential for European policymakers as they attempt to build resilience against increasingly sophisticated and persistent digital threats. ## Future Security Implications The persistence of these attacks suggests a long-term shift in the European security landscape. Moving forward, the focus must shift toward strengthening digital infrastructure and public awareness to mitigate the impact of hoaxes. The inability to respond in kind necessitates a new doctrine that prioritizes collective resilience over traditional kinetic military deterrence. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-propos/20261112-russia-using-illegal-and-unethical-means-knows-europe-won-t-use-same-means-back-expert-says — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._