Netherlands must start hitting back in Russia's hybrid war, intelligence services say

The leaders of the two Dutch intelligence services want the national government to consider more frequent retaliatory strikes in the hybrid war Russia is waging against the Netherlands. The remarks were made in Parliament on Tuesday by Erik Akerboom, head of the domestic intelligence service AIVD, and Peter Reesink, his counterpart at the military intelligence service MIVD.

Russia has long been attempting to disrupt and weaken Dutch society through hybrid activities. This includes covert influence, espionage, digital attacks, but also physical sabotage “bordering on state terrorism,” Akerboom told the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Parliament. This gray area between war and peace is becoming increasingly dark, he and Reesink said during the briefing.

This growing threat requires more frequent use of measures to make attacks impossible, “and to increase the costs so someone doesn’t do it again,” said Akerboom. Eventually, decisions need to move beyond simply identifying the perpetrator and informing victims. “The price has to go up, I think.”

Reesink said he also believes that one must consider the willingness to escalate militarily, especially in regards to Russia. “If we want to be brave, and we will have to be brave at times, then we must also be prepared to escalate. Because Russia deliberately seeks out that ambiguity and toys with it.”

On the eastern border of NATO, Reesink sees Russia’s appetite for risk increasing. The risk of unintended escalation between Russia and NATO has increased in recent months, he said.

Earlier this month, Russian drones flew into Polish airspace. Moscow denied responsibility. The drones were shot down by Dutch F-35 fighter jets, among others. Shortly afterward, Russian fighter jets flew through Estonian airspace.

Russian military frigate, cargo ship followed in North Sea

Their testimony took place around the same time the Royal Netherlands Navy confirmed one of its newest combat supply ships followed a Russian frigate in the North Sea on Saturday. The Neustrashimy and a Russian merchant ship sailed through the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone en route towards the English Channel, the Navy said.

They were monitored by the Dutch naval vessel Zr.Ms. Den Helder, which was conducting tests with the NH90 helicopter in the North Sea. The 180-meter ship was christened by Princess Amalia earlier this year, but is scheduled to be officially commissioned next week. Its purpose will be to supply naval vessels worldwide with fuel, ammunition, and spare parts, along with food and water.