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Headline: Russia uses criminals in hybrid war against Europe
Short Summary: According to GLOBSEC and ICTC, hybrid operations form a central pillar of Russian strategy, with growing evidence that Russia uses criminals in hybrid warfare against Europe. Since 2022, criminal activities including sabotage, attacks, and covert operations have been reported in France and Poland, among other countries, with linkages observed between Russian intelligence services and criminal groups, notably in Belarus. The reports highlight that criminal actors are integrated into Russia’s hybrid war campaigns, supporting destabilization efforts and complicating security responses. The escalation of such operations accelerated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Researchers note over 100 suspected cases tied to Russia of this hybrid warfare approach in Europe. The use of criminals bypasses official sanction restrictions, enabling Moscow to maintain economic leverage and border control outside formal military action. The report emphasizes the need for stronger preventive measures against these hybrid tactics.
Extended Summary: According to GLOBSEC and ICTC, hybrid operations form a central pillar of Russian strategy, with growing evidence that Russia uses criminals in hybrid warfare against Europe. Since 2022, criminal activities including sabotage, attacks, and covert operations have been reported in France and Poland, among other countries, with linkages observed between Russian intelligence services and criminal groups, notably in Belarus. The reports highlight that criminal actors are integrated into Russia’s hybrid war campaigns, supporting destabilization efforts and complicating security responses. The escalation of such operations accelerated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Researchers note over 100 suspected cases tied to Russia of this hybrid warfare approach in Europe. The use of criminals bypasses official sanction restrictions, enabling Moscow to maintain economic leverage and border control outside formal military action. The report emphasizes the need for stronger preventive measures against these hybrid tactics.
GLOBSEC and ICTC reports published on 14 October 2025 indicate that Russia incorporates criminal networks into its hybrid warfare strategies targeting Europe. Since 2022, coordinated sabotage, attacks, and covert operations have increased, especially in France, Poland, and Belarus. Evidence points to ongoing collaboration between Russian security services and criminal groups, facilitating destabilization and complicating defense efforts in Europe. This approach intensified following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The reports document over 100 suspected cases of Russian-linked hybrid attacks across Europe. Using criminals allows Moscow to circumvent sanctions and maintain influence economically and on borders. Authors recommend enhanced countermeasures to respond to this evolving hybrid threat.
The source clearly documents Russian hybrid warfare employing criminal groups as proxies in attacks and sabotage in Europe, identifying the aggressor and malicious intent explicitly, with multiple concrete details and official reports cited.
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