Budanov: Europe is finally waking up to Russia’s hybrid warfare

Key Points:

• Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, emphasized that Europe is increasingly recognizing Russian hybrid warfare tactics, which extend beyond the Baltic region to Central Europe, involving information operations and sabotage targeting defense infrastructure.
• Budanov highlighted Russia’s playbook starting with propaganda and escalating to sabotage incidents at defense enterprises, airfields, and railways, urging Europe to understand the nature of the threat posed by Moscow.
• Recent incidents, such as an arson attack on an Estonian defense contractor and an explosive-laden drone found in Germany, have been linked to Russian aggression, with German officials warning of a broader pattern of destabilization efforts.
• The surprise visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow raised concerns in the Baltics, but Estonian and Latvian officials maintain their threat assessments, supported by ongoing intelligence sharing among allies.
• Budanov offered Ukraine’s extensive military experience against Russia as a resource for European countries, urging them to leverage Kyiv’s hard-earned knowledge to better prepare against Russian threats.