Dutch intelligence agencies warn of escalating Russian hybrid attacks
The Netherlands’ intelligence agencies warned Thursday that Russia is increasing hybrid activities across Europe, combining cyberattacks, sabotage, and influence operations that could affect critical infrastructure and services.
In the Netherlands, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) states that “various Russian hybrid activities have been observed, including preparations for sabotage.” The agencies also highlighted the potential societal impact, noting, “If vital sectors fail, it can severely disrupt society.”
The report links Russia to a range of operations in Europe, including arson, drone disruptions of air traffic, damage to undersea cables, and the shipment of incendiary packages by air. While it is not always possible to attribute responsibility, intelligence services said the number of incidents is increasing. An AIVD spokesperson cited a case in which a man was instructed to send two packages to the United States and Canada, presumably on behalf of Russian intelligence.
According to the agencies, Russia’s objectives include influencing politics, sowing division, disrupting aid to Ukraine, and weakening support for European assistance to the country. Intelligence services said the threat has grown more aggressive since 2024, with operations increasingly affecting physical environments rather than only online activity.
Earlier, in September, the heads of the AIVD and MIVD told Parliament that Russia’s hybrid operations are an ongoing threat to Dutch society. They described the attacks as including covert influence, espionage, digital operations, and physical sabotage that borders on state terrorism.
The intelligence chiefs said this gray area between war and peace is becoming more dangerous and that measures must be taken to make attacks impossible and increase the cost for perpetrators. Erik Akerboom of the AIVD said decisions cannot stop at identifying perpetrators and notifying victims, emphasizing, “The price has to go up, I think.” Peter Reesink of the MIVD added that responses may sometimes require military escalation, particularly because Russia deliberately exploits ambiguity.
The officials’ statements came as Russian drones entered Polish airspace and were shot down by Dutch F-35 jets, while Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. Around the same time, the Royal Netherlands Navy monitored a Russian frigate and cargo ship passing through the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea. The naval vessel Zr.Ms. Den Helder followed the Russian supply ship Neustrashimy, which is scheduled for commissioning next week, during exercises with an NH90 helicopter.
