Europol has identified that Russia is increasingly using criminal networks to conduct sabotage activities across the European Union. This ’shadow alliance’ leverages criminal groups to carry out a range of hostile actions including politically motivated cyberattacks, migrant smuggling, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Officials cite a trend involving organised criminal tactics to destabilise EU cohesion, including cross-border sabotage incidents. These efforts include threats and intimidation against individuals and groups, as well as leveraging corruption and smuggling routes. The increased activity is linked to Russia’s strategy to destabilise Europe by exploiting criminal expertise for hybrid warfare. Europol highlights the use of financial networks and proxy criminal groups acting as force multipliers in these operations. Officials warn these activities are more coordinated and sophisticated, representing a blend of state and criminal hybrid tactics.

Europol has identified that Russia is increasingly using criminal networks to conduct sabotage activities across the European Union. This ’shadow alliance’ leverages criminal groups to carry out a range of hostile actions including politically motivated cyberattacks, migrant smuggling, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Officials cite a trend involving organised criminal tactics to destabilise EU cohesion, including cross-border sabotage incidents. These efforts include threats and intimidation against individuals and groups, as well as leveraging corruption and smuggling routes. The increased activity is linked to Russia’s strategy to destabilise Europe by exploiting criminal expertise for hybrid warfare. Europol highlights the use of financial networks and proxy criminal groups acting as force multipliers in these operations. Officials warn these activities are more coordinated and sophisticated, representing a blend of state and criminal hybrid tactics.