Russia's hybrid war against Europe is escalating rapidly. This type of conflict combines sabotage, espionage operations, cyberattacks and air incursions, all carried out in a way that makes direct attribution to Moscow difficult. The goal is to destabilize European countries without reaching an open military confrontation.
In the first nine months of 2026, 50 violations of EU airspace were recorded with drones and aircraft, a number that significantly exceeds the average of previous years. Between 2022 and 2025, only 62 violations had occurred in total, which shows the acceleration of hostile activity.
These actions are attributed or associated with Moscow and include sabotage, information operations and cyberattacks targeting European critical infrastructure. The EU has been monitoring and documenting these activities as part of a coordinated pattern of aggression.
The latest known episode was a failed drone attack attempt at an airport in Leipzig, Germany. This incident illustrates how air incursions are part of the broader strategy of Russian pressure on European territory.
