Russia intensifies hybrid attacks against the Netherlands and Europe: the Dutch intelligence service warns

Russia is expanding its strategy ofhybrid attacks against European countries, with a particular focus on the Netherlands. Raising the alarm is the MIVD, the Dutch military intelligence service, which in its latest annual report warns of a growing risk to European security, even beyond the end of the conflict in Ukraine.

According to the agency's director, Peter Reesink, 'the conflict in the grey zone between war and peace is now a reality' and more and more state actors - with Moscow in the lead - are pushing the boundaries to destabilise western societies. In this context, Russia appears particularly inclined to take increasing risks.

The MIVD revealed that, for the first time, a cyber attack by Russian hackers against the digital operating system of a Dutch public service was detected during 2023, without specifying the name. Not only that: a Russian cyber intelligence operation against critical infrastructure in the Netherlands was also reportedly detected, possibly as a prelude to future sabotage actions.

As Reuters explains, hybrid threats encompass a broad spectrum of activities, from the physical disruption of essential infrastructures to the spread of disinformation, including cyber attacks and espionage. Dutch intelligence emphasises that such operations aim to undermine the democratic and institutional foundations of European societies.

The MIVD also renews the alert on alleged Russian attempts to map infrastructure in the North Sea, such as undersea internet cables and energy networks, potentially in the crosshairs of future hostile actions.